Second-half surge lifts Norristown past Boyertown for first win
WEST NORRITON >> Norristown has been in games at halftime all season. Through the first eight weeks, each time they’ve come out on the losing end at the final whistle. This time was different. The Eagles came out of the locker room with enthusiasm and swagger after intermission Friday night against Boyertown and it showed in the ensuing 24 minutes of play. Norristown overcame an eight-point halftime deficit and picked up its first win of the season, 32-27, over its Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division rival at Norristown Area High School.
“The energy was different (tonight),” receiver Isiah Tucker said. “We felt like we had them in the first half. We just had to come out in the second half and play hard. That’s what we did and came out with the win.”
The Eagles (1-8, 1-4 PAC
Liberty) opening drive of the third quarter lasted 11 plays before turning the ball over on fourth down deep in Boyertown’s territory. On the first play of the ensuing Bears possession, Norristown forced a fumble, recovered at the twoyard line and Zion Malone scored two plays later, cutting the Eagles deficit to two, 21-19.
Norristown’s defense, which allowed 219 yards in the first half, forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession. The offense responded with another 11 play drive — this one capped off by a go-ahead one-yard touchdown plunge from Elijah Thyman. After a failed two-point attempt the Eagles led by four, 25-21.
The Bears (2-7, 1-4 PAC Liberty) couldn’t pick up a first down on a fake punt on the ensuing possession, but forced a missed field goal when Norristown got the ball back. A penalty on Boyertown’s next drive turned a 4th-and-1 conversion into a 4th-and-13, which they punted away.
“They just came out and beat us in the second half,” Boyertown coach TJ Miller said. “They were more aggressive than us in the second half. We haven’t done well in the second half most of this year. We’ve been more of a first-half team and that’s pretty much it. We didn’t finish it.”
Norristown took advantage. Quarterback Nick Dinolfi hit receiver Travis Cummings for a 36-yard gain to the one-yard line. Two played later Thyman was in the end zone again, making it 32-21 Norristown with 2:31 to go.
It wasn’t going to be easy for the Eagles to get their first win. A 70-yard completion from Mason Marinello to Jamie Moccia set up a Jonathan Myers touchdown for the Bears with 1:13 left, cutting their deficit to five, 32-27.
Norristown recovered the onsides kick and punted away after three kneel downs. Boyertown’s final drive started and ended with a holding penalty on the only play.