The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
UD fends off H-H on final play
Cardinals still in play for SOL American title
FORT WASHINGTON » It would have taken a significant effort for Upper Dublin to come up with a more dramatic ending than it did Friday night.
Sophomore Mike Slivka’s outstretched right hand got enough of a Chris Edwards pass in the endzone on the final play of the game to prevent a Hatboro-Horsham comeback. In a fourth quarter full of twists and turns, the Flying Cardinals made one more play than the visiting Hatters.
The result of Slivka’s effort was a 14-7 win over HatboroHorsham as UD celebrated both Homecoming and Senior Night in theatrical style.
“It’s been a little bit dramatic, but we pulled through in the end,” UD senior quarterback Julian Gimbel said. “As long as we come out on top, it’s all good. Upper Dublin 14, HatboroHorsham 7 Up next for Upper Dublin: The Cardinals are at Upper Moreland Friday night. In the past, especially against Quakertown, we came out kind of slow but tonight we came out on fire and with some poise.”
Earlier this season, the Cardinals blew a two-score fourth quarter lead against Quakertown, which coach Bret Stover called a learning experience for his young team. While the Cardinals have seniors in a number of key spots, many of them spent at least one of the last two years as a backup as UD went on two long playoff runs.
Gimbel was one of those players, waiting behind Ryan Stover and Justin Horn for his turn to call the plays. Friday, with Hatboro-Horsham gearing up to stop the Cardinals’ senior workhorse tailback, Malik Bootman, Gimbel rose to the task.