Turnovers turn into a long night for Chichester

DOWNINGTOWN » The Chichester football battled two opponents Friday night — Bishop Shanahan and the elements — and didn’t have much success against either.

Bishop Shanahan took advantage of multiple Chichester turnovers in the first half to build a big lead en route to a 34-8 nonleague victory at a monsoonlike Jack Mancini Field.

The conditions, heavy rain and wind, played havoc with Chi’s offense, which had six fumbles (three lost) and threw two interceptions in the first half. As expected, neither team threw much, the teams combined for 10 pass attempts on the soggy evening.

Neither team put up dazzling offensive numbers.

Chichester mustered just two yards on the ground and six through the air. Shanahan had 147 yards of total offense, including 103 rushing. But it was the homestanding Eagles who made the big plays when needed.

“I think the difference was up front,” Shanahan coach Paul Meyers said. “I know they’re big and physical, but we were lucky to capitalize on the turnovers and our defense played well.”

Chichester’s woes began on their first series.

A pass from quarterback Idrees Holloman was tipped at the line of scrimmage by DaKendrick Daniels and hauled in by lineman Charles Adams on the Chi 17. Adams would later recover a fumble.

“That was a blessing, it bounced off somebody’s hand,” said Adams. “I caught it, tried to run with it, got tackled. I had a good night. I’m happy.”

Shanahan couldn’t cash in the opportunity, turned away by the Chi defense deep in its territory.

Shanahan broke through a little later as Chi couldn’t move the ball and had to punt. The snap was dropped, and Shanahan took over on the 6. Two plays later, Cooper Jordan slipped in from the three for the first score.

Chichester fumbled again on the next series, Shanahan recovering in the end zone for a 14-0 lead.

Another turnover keyed a Shanahan score in the second. A muffed punt, recovered by the Eagles, set them up on the 25. Jordan powered in from the one for a 20-0 advantage.

The score stayed that way until late in the half. Shanahan was on the 18 when Jordan scooped up a bad snap and found Nicholas Romano alone in the end zone for the score.

“The corner stepped up on the out route and left me wide open,” said Romano. “I didn’t see the bad snap, I just ran my route.”

Romano also scored the only TD in the third. He broke through the middle and sped past the defense for a 36-yard score.

Chichester (5-3) averted the shutout with less than two minutes left in the game. Henry Jones picked a fumble and sped 70 yards for the TD.