Towsen a building block for Germantown Academy going forward
PHILADELPHIA — Things went well early, and pretty well late, but the in between was what did in visiting Germantown Academy on Saturday in its long rivalry against Penn Charter.
"We were able to get out to a lead, but they came back on us and scored a couple of touchdowns," Germantown Academy junior A.J. Towsen said.
"Give them credit for playing well. They got the lead on us and we put our heads down a little bit, but we came back strong. We're going to learn from this."
In the end, it was the Quakers coming out on the right end of a 35-14 outcome in the 137th straight meeting between the two arch-rivals which is the longest, continuous high school football rivalry in the country.
"This game is so big for both schools," Towsen said. "If you win this game, like we did last year, it's such a great feeling and we want to get that feeling back next year.
"We're a young team and we'll work even harder to get ready for next season."
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The Patriots, who have just seven seniors on their roster, had a blazing start to the season, going 5-0, before Inter-Academic League play began. In the Inter-Ac, they lost all five games to finish the season at .500.
"Our kids don't quit," GA head coach Matt Dence said. "But we just couldn't run the ball well enough and penalties killed us.
"And you throw in that we turned it over a couple of times, which always hurts you, and we just didn't make enough plays to win."
The win moved Penn Charter to 4-5 and was the Quakers' first victory in Inter-Ac play. As far as the all-time series goes, Penn Charter now leads GA 88-38-11.
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It's off to basketball season now for Towsen, but the memory of Saturday's loss will linger.
"I love playing football and I love being at GA," Towsen said. "Coming here was just an awesome opportunity and playing for Coach Dence has been great.
"I would have gone to Souderton, and it was difficult because I had a lot of friends going there, but GA has been a fantastic opportunity."
Game Balls
Xavier Stearn, Germantown Academy, quarterback. The sophomore, who was not sacked but under pressure most of the game, still threw for 323 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
A.J. Towsen, Germantown Academy, wide receiver. The junior caught eight passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Ohifame Ijeboi, Penn Charter, running back. The senior scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and was a big part of a punishing ground game for the Quakers.
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Drew Markol: dmarkol@theintell.com; @dmarkol
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Towsen, Germantown Academy learn plenty in loss to rival Penn Charter
