Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Dooley, Long lead WCU to huge win
WEST CHESTER OFFENSE EXPLODES IN OPENING NIGHT ROMP
Perfect Launch: Dooley, Long lead WCU to huge win
There was a fireworks show following West Chester’s season opener on Thursday evening, but it wasn’t quite as flashy, or as spectacular, as the Golden Rams’ earlier on-field performance.
With two new quarterbacks spearheading the onslaught, 25th ranked WCU rolled over visiting Bentley (Mass.), 51-9, in nonleague action in front of 3,200 fans at Farrell Stadium. The Rams, who actually trailed early, scored 51 straight points to overwhelm an opponent they actually struggled to beat a year ago.
“I am pretty happy,” said West Chester head coach Bill Zwaan. “I thought we came out of the locker room ready to play. There is not much to be upset about.
“(Bentley) taught us a lesson last year not to take them lightly. So we went after them, and when we got them down, we kept on after them, which is nice.”
New starting quarterback Paul Dooley was ultra-efficient in his first college start, and intriguing backup A.J. Long even got in on the action, firing a long TD toss
on the first completion at WCU. Add in a masterful outing by the West Chester defense and you have an opener that is only going to energize a squad unanimously picked to win the PSAC East for a Sept. 9 clash at Slippery Rock.
“It’s always good when you can win a game 51-9,” said senior defensive end George Shipp. “We will have that confidence going into next week because we know how good Slippery Rock is. It will be a true test to see how good we really are.”
After wrestling away the starting job from incumbent starter Pat Moriarty, Dooley completed his first seven pass attempts, and was 11-for-15 for 183 yards and three touchdowns before exiting early in the second half. In all, WCU quarterbacks connected with four different receivers for TDs. And the running duo of Jarel Elder and Mark Dukes combined to add 158 rushing yards and two scores.
“We came out with a positive outlook, we had a good game plan, and as long as we execute it, we are good to go,” Dooley said.
“We were all business today, and it starts with the offensive line. They gave me time to make the plays.”
The West Chester defense forced a half-dozen 1-2-3 and outs, scored a defensive touchdown, and actually came close to notching a shut. Shipp missed much of last season with an injury, but came back to score a third quarter TD when he pounced on a loose ball in the end zone.
“I haven’t scored since high school. It was pretty special. I forgot what it felt like,” Shipp said.
The only drawback to Thursday’s blowout was a second quarter injury sustained by dynamic defensive end Ch’aim Smith, who was helped off the field favoring his right leg.
“Hopefully he’ll be OK, but it hurts our depth a bit when he isn’t in there,” Zwaan reported. “It’s an ankle, but we don’t know how bad.”
On his first play from scrimmage this season, Dukes got to the edge and raced 57 yards for the game’s first TD on WCU’s opening series. And moments later, Dooley hit wideout Jordan Banks for a 38-yard score to open a 14-3 lead.
The Rams added two more second quarter touchdowns to take a commanding 28-3 lead into the intermission. Tight end Simon Williams grabbed a 21-yard scoring toss from Dooley, and then after linebacker Jordan Burney pounced on a Bentley fumble, WCU’s Jarel Elder capped a seven-play march with a short TD run in the final minute of the half.
“We have good receivers and Dooley found them,” Zwaan said. “I was real happy with his composure, he’s got that great arm and he ran the ball well. It was an impressive first start.”
Dooley opened the third quarter with a 10-yard strike to Tyler Karpinski before retiring for the evening with a 34-3 lead. And soon thereafter, Long hit Rasheem James in stride for a 43-yarder.
“Dooley made some big plays for us, and when A.J. was in there he did some good things,” Zwaan said.
“I was loose, even in the locker room before the game,” Dooley admitted. “I’ve been ready to go ever since I got here. I got the nod and I was ready.”
Backup kicker Andrew Chegia (Unionville) later booted a 26-yard field goal, and then eight seconds later, Shipp took advantage of a bad snap in the shotgun by Bentley, and beat quarterback Mack Lowrie to the football. The WCU defense kept the Falcons out of the end zone until the reserves surrendered a score with no time left on the clock.
“After that first drive, our defense shut them down,” Zwaan said. “We also took advantage of some turnovers.
“We have the kind of (defensive) front that is going to give people a lot of problems. The secondary did a nice job but we were forcing their quarterback to throw with his feet moving and that helps.”
Inside linebacker Tyler Morrissey paced the Rams with two interceptions. West Chester outgained Bentley in total offense, 478-213.
“Since the spring, we’ve kind of congealed,” Shipp said. “There is just a vibe around the locker room. We know we can be good if we want to be. All of the pieces are there and it is up to us.
“We were firing on all cylinders tonight. We looked really good.”
NOTES » Senior defensive end John Dubyk missed the game and will be out for at least five games after suffering a broken right leg in practice earlier this week. He was replaced in the two-deep by sophomore Shane Griffin, who is also WCU’s long-snapper … Starting right tackle, Vince Lostrocco, saw plenty of action despite passing a kidney stone earlier in the week… Redshirt freshman Jordan Burnley started at strong safety in place of projected starter Deionte Wilson, and incumbent kicker Brendan Paulison was replaced by freshman George Lambritsios for field goals and PATs. Paulison is still in on kickoffs and punts.