On a warm October Friday, the 3-2 Pennsville Memorial Eagles hosted the out-of-conference Overbrook Rams for their final game of the regular season at Lou D'Angelo Stadium.
Pennsville was looking to build off their win last week by beating an Overbrook team that started the season 3-1, but had just been shut out by Audobon.
The Eagle defense set the tone on the opening drive, forcing a three-and-out after a huge third down sack. The offense was able to begin its' first drive ten yards into Ram territory, and they made no mistake, punching in a quick score.
Looking to respond, the Rams drove down inside Pennsville's 20, where they were met with a fourth-and-medium decision.
Opting to go for it was the wrong move. Defensive end Daniel Saulin met the quarterback, dragged him down, and forced a fumble for good measure.
Pennsville ran the ball in the first quarter, so when the first play of the second quarter was a 48 yard touchdown strike to Malik Rehmer, it seemed like this game would get out of hand before too long. Everything was working.
Minutes later, Skye Eppes made it 21-0. As long as the offense kept doing their thing, and the defense wasn't too leaky, the Eagles could coast to the finish.
Things changed quickly.
Down 21-0, the Rams turned to a short passing game, dinking and dunking their way down the field efficiently until they'd gotten close enough to run in a score.
With a touchdown on the board, the mood had changed. There was plenty of time to mount a comeback, though they'd dug themselves a sizable hole.
Bad turned ugly for the Eagles when Robert McDade was intercepted by Trevor Fuller before the half. It was one of his only mistakes all night, but it had potentially cost Pennsville a field goal attempt.
The momentum had swung wildly in the other direction, as a once lifeless Overbrook appeared to field a new team out of the break. Quarterback Deangello Conquest broke free for a long run before scoring on the next play, and it was suddenly a one possession game.
Or, it should've been, had the Rams kicked extra points.
Overbrook was unwilling, or unable, to kick any PAT attempts, which meant a three touchdown lead is now a four score game unless they could consistently score the two-point conversions. Not ideal for a team coming from behind.
Despite their shortcomings, it might have worked-- the Eagles didn't have much answer for the revisited Ram passing game.
Traveling at about six yards per play, the Rams were crossing midfield again, down just 21-12 with new life.
It was a key third down, and Malik Rehmer made the play of the game to that point. He made contact, forced the ball free, and secured the live ball inches inside the boundary.
An offensive weapon most days, Rehmer proved just as valuable on the other side of the ball.
He wasn't done yet. With the Rams backed up inside their own territory, Conquest thought he had another easy completion until Rehmer jumped the route.
It was a walk-in pick-six, the easiest touchdown he'll have all season. Pennsville could exhale.
Cole Campbell joined the turnover party for the Eagles, pouncing on a loose ball in the Overbrook backfield. It was the third consecutive turnover, and put to bed any hopes of a comeback.
McDade and Eppes would run in a pair of touchdowns in the fourth to ice the cake.
Something that may not appear in the box score was the complete effort by Pennsville kicker Jack Leino.
Photo Courtesy of Lorraine Jenkins
After a 1-for-3 night on PATs last week, Leino booted all six extra points he attempted tonight. He saved two separate touchdowns as the last man to beat on Ram kick returns. He punted the Rams down to their own 10 to allow Rehmer to score on his pick-six.
With the game already in hand, Conquest connected with Jalen Aiken for an 82 yard touchdown.
The final score for this one: Pennsville 42, Overbrook 18.
Takeaways from the game
- No penalties on Pennsville this week. Another clean game all around, despite a preventable turnover late in the first half. Winning the penalty battle and the turnover battle is a good formula for sustained success at any level.
- Malik Rehmer is the lightning rod, but the Eagle offense needs their three main threats -- Rehmer, Eppes, and McDade -- to be successful if they're going to win. They split evenly tonight: two touchdowns each, 36 points.
- Explosive plays are good, and fun, if you're on offense. Pennsville allowed the short yardage passes, draining the clock, until a mistake was made: Rehmer's pick-six. The defense was very opportunistic.
Around the Royal Division
Pennsville (4-2) was the only team not to play a divisional game this week.
Cumberland (3-4) hung on to beat Gateway (1-5) in a one-score game, turning them away at the very end, 26-20.
Lower Cape May (5-1) defeated Pitman (2-3) by a final of 46-22. Isaiah Carr-Wing had 319 yards and four touchdowns.
Pennsville visits Pennsgrove next Friday night at 6:30.
- Pennsville delivers big Homecoming win against Overbrook - October 7, 2023
- Schalick Stays Unbeaten in Rout of Pennsville Eagles - September 23, 2023
- Pennsville dominates second half in win over Gateway Regional - September 16, 2023
