Golden Ram Football Club: Game Report - West Chester 28

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Game Report - West Chester 28 - Shippensburg 21

West Chester (5-0, 2-0) remained undefeated as they knocked off Shippensburg (2-3, 0-2) by a score of 28-21. Despite it being a glorious afternoon for football, it was a difficult game to watch. The two teams combined for six turnovers and 24 penalties for 234 yards.

It was the timing of West Chester's miscues that was especially bothersome. An A.J. Long 37-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was called back due to a holding penalty. The next trip into the red zone resulted in a lost fumble. West Chester scored on the first play of the second quarter, but right tackle Jake Duncan was flagged and ejected on the PAT. And late in the first half, a 48-yard touchdown pass from Long to Lex Rosario was negated when the officals ruled Long had crossed the line of scrimmage. So that's 21 points that were left on the field.

A great crowd was on hand for the final home game until November
(Photo Zack Hockman)

But even with the gaffes, Long and Rosario had terrific games. Long finished with 356 yards and three touchdowns passing to go along with 87 yards rushing. Rosario had his best game as a Golden Ram, making 13 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown. And he did it in every way - making a diving comeback catch, getting wide open for an easy score, and concentrating and hauling in a tipped ball for a big gain. West Chester also welcomed the 2018 debut of tight end Dan Neuhaus with two catches for 26 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown reception on his first touch of the season.

Lex Rosario breaking tackles on the sideline (Photo Zack Hockman)

The Golden Ram pass defense was certainly challenged in the contest, but since they held the Raiders to just nine yards rushing in the game, what choice did Shippensburg have? What Shippensburg lacked in accuracy (57%), they made up for in persistence (47 attempts). Although only Tyler Morrissey and Jordan Burney registered sacks for West Chester, the team did manage ten quarterback hurries which helped lead to four interceptions - two by Jarey Elder, one by Nate Barnes and one by defensive end Diquan Gilbert when he keenly read an attempted screen. West Chester also held Shippensburg to just 1 of 12 on third down.

Jordan Burney and Shaq James squeeze the ball carrier (Photo Zack Hockman)

Notes - Rasheem James had five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the third quarter with an apparent ankle injury...Elder had a third interception negated by an offside penalty...Morrissey (10) and Barnes (9) were West Chester's top tacklers...whatever was said at halftime worked as the Golden Rams were only flagged once in the second half for five yards...Saturday marked the first time in 2018 that West Chester failed to score in the first quarter.

A.J. Long leaves a trail of Ship defenders (Photo Zack Hockman)