QUICK HIT: A quietly efficient and devastating Bishop McDevitt offense need only 24 minutes of the first half to settle its District 3-AAA semifinal with Conrad Weiser Friday night at Rocco Ortenzio Stadium.
Led by four touchdown passes from junior QB Nick Marsilio, Bishop McDevitt scored 42 unanswered points during one stretch to dust the Scouts 49-21 and punch its ticket to the fourth consecutive Class AAA title game.
TURNING POINT: Each team scored on its opening drive of the game and it was 7-7 late in the first quarter. The next eight snaps from scrimmage for Bishop McDevitt (12-1) produced 21 points and although the lights at The Roc stayed on it was lights out for Conrad Weiser (9-4).
STARS AND STUDS: Marsilio completed nine of his first 13 passes for 173 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a 16-yard touchdown run to give him five total touchdowns.
*McDevitt junior RB Andre Robinson had only 13 touches, but managed to finish with 125 total yards and a pair of touchdowns. Robinson rushed for 96 yards on 11 carries and a 50-yard touchdown run. He also hauled in a 19-yard screen pass for the Crusaders’ opening score.
*Tyrone Gibson caught only two passes for 44 yards, but both of his receptions went for touchdowns.
TELL-TALE STATS: Don’t be fooled by the 241 rushing yards the Crusaders surrendered to the Scouts. More than half of those yards, 123 to be exact, came as McDevitt public address announcer Savy Ametrano was rattling off back-up defenders getting into the game for the Crusaders.
WHAT THEY SAID: “We thought they would crowd the box and stop the run. So we wanted to mix in formations and give them some different looks. When we go spread with three receivers with one back we’re pretty tough to stop. Nick has been on fire throwing the football the last two games.” – Bishop McDevitt head coach Jeff Weachter
“Defensively stopping Andre Robinson is tough. He’s not easy to bring down. Their line makes sure once they hit you, they chip off. So it’s hard to get to him, first. Then once you get there bringing him down is tough because he’s such a hard runner.” – Conrad Weiser RB-DB Dexter Jordan
BIG PICTURE: The match up everyone has been talking about all season in District 3-AAA will happen. Bishop McDevitt and Manheim Central will square off for the title Friday night at Hersheypark Stadium starting at 7 p.m.
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