Lower Moreland edges Academy New Church

Academy New Church made the march from their home grounds over to Lower Moreland’s football field at Murray Avenue Middle School. Trekking through the high school parking lot and onto their neighbors’ territory had the exciting feel of an invasion.

But after leaving their blood, sweat and tears on the battlefield, where the home Lions prevailed 12-7, the hike back to Bryn Athyn on Saturday afternoon was a difficult one to make.

With armor in hand after four hard fought quarters, the climb to Academy New Church’s campus was a long disappointing chance to reflect on what could have been.

“Lower Moreland played disciplined and earned it,” ANC coach Ty Klippensteni said. “I thought we would be able to do some things, that ultimately they defended well. We ask a lot of these guys, we are throwing a lot at them, but there were too many mental mistakes.”

ANC held the 7-6 advantage heading into the final quarter. The newest member of ANC, freshman Brett Thomas, took a fumble recovery deep into the red zone with two minutes remaining in the third quarter. The first offensive play after the turnover, Aramis Alston scored from 12 yards out and Shane McCurdy’s extra point gave them their first lead of the afternoon. Amir Nelson, who lined up a quarterback, running back and wide receiver, led ANC with 60 rushing yards.

“We are trying to do a lot of different stuff with a lot of different guys,” coach Klip- penstein said. “Amir is an athlete and we have to find ways to get him the ball. Brett Thomas is going to be a player. We are trying to get him up to speed on offense and he played some safety on defense.”

Even after Lower Moreland’s Joe Leventhal second one-yard touchdown run put his team ahead again, ANC had a final possession to answer. While it was yellow flags that stalled the offense’s progress, it was senior Glenn Mahon’s interception that signaled the white flag. It was Lower Moreland’s first win over their rivals since 2009.

“It was a battle and a good game for us,” Lower Moreland coach Mark Mayson said. “We got behind 7-6, came back, and then played defense. And we got some continuity on offense. I am proud of these kids.”

Leventhal led the Lions with 71 yards on 13 carries. ANC did not make the fullback’s job easy, but after battling hard for two or three yards on every carry all afternoon, his 44-yard run in the fourth quarter set up the go-ahead one-yard plunge.

“We kept running middle, middle, outside and the offensive line kept pushing,” Leventhal said. “We ran belly-keep outside and then finally we ran gut right up the middle and Mike Faust did a terrific job blocking.”

The Lions split carries predominantly between four ball carriers out of the wishbone formation. Lower Moreland had four backs register more than 45 rushing yards. Lower Moreland was coming off a week were the offense was absent against Pennington School. So the 244 total yards and, of course, the win, left Leventhal and Lower Moreland exhausted and exhilarated all at the same time.

“I got tired, but I kept pushing,” Leventhal said. “ANC is a stone’s throw away and this is my first time beating them. It feels good to get a win.”

The Abington Angels will hold open tryouts for their Girls 10r Fastpitch Softball Team on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. Tryouts will be from noon to 2 p.m. and will be held at Penbryn Park, Houston and Edgerton avenues in Glenside.

The 2012-13 Angels team will participate in a light fall schedule, winter training and spring and summer tournaments. There are six roster spots open for girls who are interested in playing competitive fastpitch softball.

For additional information please email angels10usoftball@hotmail.com or call coach Mark Wolpert 267973-3680.