Pennridge's Joe Gregoire leads determined Rams to first win of season, first for new coach
BENSALEM — It was certainly going to be the best win of the season, no matter what, since Pennridge and host Bensalem were each winless.
However, senior Joe Gregoire was determined it would be the Rams who achieved victory.
“We’ve lost nine games in a row (including last season) and the seniors were not happy,” said Gregoire, a wide receiver/safety. “We took it upon ourselves to really hype up the (underclassmen) to be ready. Everyone really stepped up.”
On Friday night, the Rams did get their first ‘W’ in a while, as Pennridge (1-2) defeated Bensalem (0-3), 33-0, in a Suburban One League non-conference contest that does not count in the league standings.
Despite the final score, the game was actually very competitive. The Rams only held a 13-0 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Gregoire caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Noah Keating (10-for-17, 208 yards, 2 TDs) with three minutes left in the first half, to give the Rams a two-touchdown lead.
Gregoire felt a ton of pressure to reel in the pass, as he was all alone in the end zone.
“It was a simple ‘go’ route and the cornerback bit on (a crossing route),” said Gregoire, who plays on the Rams baseball team in the spring. “I just threw my hands up, because I was wide open. I was thinking ‘don’t drop the ball’.”
Gregoire finished with four catches for 65 yards, but the big receiving stats were racked up by junior Chase Marshall. He finished with four catches for 113 yards, including a back-breaking 75-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the fourth period, as Marshall scampered down the sideline.
“We were just running RPOs (run-pass options), and I started to pass more out of them,” said Keating. “I really didn’t do anything (on the TD pass) except throw to Chase Marshall, he did the rest.”
It was Keating’s first win as the Rams starting quarterback, so it also meant a lot to him.
“This was great,” he said.
Game balls
Pennridge linebacker Trevor Fuhs had a pick-6, as he cut in front of a receiver and ran 30 yards for a score.
Bensalem sophomore running back Aidan Mayfield ran for 92 yards on 14 carries and was a danger to break open a big run any time he touched the ball.
Bensalem punter Jason Dunn did a great job pinning Pennridge back with high-arcing kicks. He had three punts for an average of 37 yards.
What it means
Bensalem: Still looking for its first victory of the season. The Owls have been outscored by a combined margin of 75-0 this year. Getting some points on their side of the scoreboard is a major goal entering league play, as they have yet to score.
Pennridge: The Rams are improving with every game. After a blowout loss to Downingtown East, Pennridge suffered just a five-point loss to Souderton and now a victory over Bensalem. The Rams enter their SOL National schedule with momentum, which is important for a young team.
Key plays
The Owls were whistled for offsides six times, which killed any momentum they had offensively. Three fumbles, and a number of low snaps, also did not help.
The Rams’ Joey Cantone had an interception on the first drive of the game, setting the tone as Pennridge’s defense pitched a shutout.
A perfect long pass by Bensalem sophomore quarterback Hollis Sanders to a wide-open receiver was dropped in the third quarter. A catch probably would have made it a one-score game.
They said it
"We start 5-6 sophomores on both sides of line, so we need our seniors to step up and not make mistakes,“ said Bensalem coach Alex Houston. “In practice, we emphasize discipline (and) we make them run (when they commit an error). We just have to translate that to the field.”
More: Friday Night Highlights: Week 3 football scores, stats, recaps & photos
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: High school football Pennridge defeats Bensalem, first win for Beller
