Allentown football shuts out Princeton

Defense dominates in victory over the Tigers.

By: Kyle Moylan
   PRINCETON-The Allentown High School football opener was held this past Saturday at Princeton. Given a little more time, however, the Redbirds’ defense may have pushed the Tigers back to Allentown for a home game.
   Allentown’s defense not only shut out Princeton, 20-0, it also forced the Tigers’ offense into going the opposite direction.
   Princeton managed a couple of short runs and a pass interference penalty for a total of two first downs. Add in sacks by Matt Mordas, Brandon Watkins and Pat Murphy and Princeton had a total offensive production of negative five yards. And that doesn’t even factor in offensive penalties or four interceptions.
   "The coach had a great game plan against them," noted Mordas, who was in at linebacker and running back for Allentown. "We thought they would run the ball. We stopped their option play and they had no choice but to pass it. We have three seniors in the secondary. They all know what they are doing back there."
   Brian Simon picked off two passes in the first quarter. The second interceptions set up a six-play, 51-yard drive by Allentown. Scott Anacker threw one pass to Gary Amatrudo for 16 yards. The other 36 yards — including the final 15 on the final play of the first quarter — were provided by Mordas.
   Allentown missed the extra point. Allentown also missed a field goal late in the second quarter. Allentown had the ball inside the Princeton 30 on four other occasions and didn’t score. This kept Princeton within striking distance — down 6-0 — as the game entered the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.
   "As a head coach, I never think we are dominating anyone," noted Greg LaCava. "We had several chances to add more points. We have to capitalize on those chances."
   In the fourth quarter Allentown’s defense did more than create a scoring opportunity, it took the ball in for a score.
   Brandon Watkins had just finished dropping Princeton quarterback Vinny Giacalone for a 10-yard loss — back to his 28 — when he got another good rush going. Seeing that he was about to be sacked again, Giacalone did his best to try and get off a pass as Watkins was hitting him. Ryan Reiser picked up on what Giacalone was trying to do and found himself with the easiest interception and touchdown return of his career.
   "I saw Brandon rushing him and he threw the ball right to me," Reiser noted.
   Watkins didn’t see much of the play, but he liked what he heard.
   "I was on the ground, so I didn’t see it," Watkins noted of the interception and touchdown return. "I just heard our sideline scream and then I saw my teammate running by me with the ball. It was great. It really got us pumped up."
   A two-point conversion pass from Victor Veltre to Tom Keeley upped the Allentown lead to 14-0. And the way Allentown’s defense was playing, this game was over.
   Allentown’s defense pushed Princeton back two yards before forcing a punt on the ensuing possession. Anacker completed three passes as Allentown moved the ball from its own 38 to the Princeton 36. Mordas then capped off his 135-yard rushing game with a 36-yard scoring run.
   "Matt’s a four-year starter for us," noted LaCava. "He’s been my go-to guy for three years. People will be eyeballing Matt Mordas now."
   They should also take note of the defensive effort.
   "Our defense has to keep us in the game," noted LaCava. "We match up very well with Princeton. We felt this was one of those games we had to win."
   And if the defense had to push Princeton all the way off the field, it was determined to make sure Allentown got that win.
   "Winning the first game is the biggest part of the season," noted Mordas.
   Especially with Hamilton scheduled this Saturday. Hamilton defeated Allentown, 37-7, last season.