Bobcats win first game of season

By RICHARD HETTINGER
As this game was played on September 11, McAuley School gave out American Flags for everyone to wave during the National Anthem before the game. It was also homecoming for the McAuley Knights. A nice prayer and pledge was given to honor all those who lost their lives and also to honor all our young heroes fighting for our country.
Drexel seemed to move the ball easily down to the 27 yard line after the initial kick-off. A personal foul against McAuley helped the drive. QB Seba connected with Thomas for a nice gain to the 3 yard line and the Bobcats took it in for 6 on the next play from scrimmage. With Shipley’s kick the score was 7-0.
The Knights also seemed to move the ball down the field easily with Seba making a couple of stops on long runs. West broke through the line and tackled the ball carrier for a huge loss. The Knights fought back to 3rd and 9 and made a good pass play to the 7 yard line as the Bobcats tackled the carrier hard knocking the ball loose and Drexel recovered. After a first down the Bobcats fumbled the ball back to the Knights on the Bobcats own 18 yard line. Unable to hold on defense this time McAuley scored and chose to go for 2 and was successful making the score Knights 8 and Bobcats 7 with 8:01 left on the clock in the 1st quarter.
The kick was returned to the 36 by Hadley. On first play from scrimmage, Thomas makes a nice catch from Seba taking the ball down to the Knights’ 41. After 2 failed running attempts, Drexel faced 3rd and 15. Seba made a nice long pass to Cooley but good defense by the Knights knocked it down. The Bobcats were forced to punt and downed the ball on the 30 yard line where McAuley took over. Jose Santillan, a good running 200 pounder, was able to make a 65 yard touchdown run but the extra point failed and the score stood McAuley 14, Drexel 7 with 8:23 left in the second quarter.
Cooley was able to return the kick back to the 45 but the Cats had to turn the ball over on downs. McAuley drove down the field but after nice stops by Page, West and McMahan and a pass play broken up by Wheeler, Drexel takes over on downs on their own 20. The very first play from scrimmage, Seba attempts a long pass that was tipped by a Knight but Thomas allertly snagged the errant ball and scrambled the last 40 yards into the end zone for a nice 80 yard touchdown play. After Shipley’s extra point, Bobcats 14 and Knights 14 with 1:46 left in the first half.
The second half begins with the Bobcats receiving the kick. McAuley tried a squib kick which Otto fell on at the 47. After turning the ball over on downs, the defense became alive and Hadley intercepts a pass on Bobcats’ 35. McAuley quickly does the same when they intercepted a Seba pass.
After a few exchanges..
Read the complete story in the September 17th edition.
PHOTO: Drexel’s Dylan Morgan tries to bring down Austin Metts of the McAuley Warriors during play last Friday night. Photo by Richard Hettinger