Phantoms March Over Saints to Improve to 2-0

Everybody has heard the golf cliché “It’s not how you drive it how you arrive,” referring to the detailed short game being as important as a flashy opening salvo.

On Friday night, the Phantoms arrived in style as a 74-yard run by quarterback Alec McQuiston got the fans on their feet on the home team’s second play from scrimmage as Phoenixville christened the turf at Washington Field under game fire by dismantling the Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School Saints 38-7.

As for the short game, the offensive line of the Phantoms again owned the trenches as they fueled a 275-yard team rushing performance with last week’s Max Preps team player of the week Vinny Nattle racking up 73 yards on the ground and finding the end zone twice, boosting his season touchdown total to four, while junior Ryan Yenchick added another score with a 30-yard burst.

As predicted in Patch’s game preview on Friday, junior place kicker Ian Harrigan make his impact felt as he closed out the scoring in the first quarter by booming a 30-yard field goal to post the Phantom to 9-0 lead.

A weapon like Harrigan will be counted on heavily as the Phantoms get their league season started next week as they travel to Methacton to battle the Warriors.

The Phoenixville defense, which fell pray to the Patriots big play capability last week, responded to coach Bill Furlong’s week-long challenge of eliminating the big play. The defense played a stifling 4-3 scheme, which helped the Phantoms force three turnovers in the tilt giving the offense valuable extra opportunities to eat the clock as they ran the ball on 37 plays from scrimmage with eight different player getting touches in the backfield.

“We need to shut down the big plays,” said Furlong. “We need to be a better Phantoms team than the week before, and the way we do that is by not beating ourselves and limiting game changing plays."

Travis Andrews, who also recovered a fumble, closed out the scoring for the Phantoms, as he broke free for a 21-yard touchdown run and 78 yards on the night.

“Our line has been doing a great job,” said McQuiston (6 carries, 79 yards) following practice Thursday. “We have to stay focused each week. It is important not to get ahead of ourselves. We start our PAC-10 schedule next week and we have to keep working on the little stuff that makes a difference come game day.”

Phantoms Phacts-For the second straight week the offensive line of Phoenixville featuring center Tom White, tackles Alex McLemore and Tim Hunt, offensive guards Jesse Gervasi and Brian Hyland and tight end Ryan Pannella have cleared the road for a Phantoms running attack that has amassed 680 yards on the ground while allowing one sack of signal caller Alec McQuiston (6 carries, 79 yards, TD).

Neumann-Goretti          0            7            0            0            -7

Phoenixville                  9            8            14          7            -38