No mistaking contribution

CARVER - In a game filled with mistakes and turnovers, it was fitting that Abington senior Chris Egan's interception return for a touchdown made the difference in the Green Wave's 14-6 victory over Carver.

Tied at 6-6, Carver received the ball to start the second half. On the second play of the possession, Egan jumped Brandon Holbrook's route and picked off Kevin Jellison's pass, returning it 36 yards for a 12-6 advantage.

"Chris read the quarterback perfectly," Abington coach Jim Kelliher said of his first-year starter. "That was an opportune time for a turnover and he made the play."

Abington's first drive didn't foreshadow the scoring problems it would experience. The Green Wave drove 65 yards, junior Keith Faxon scoring on a 1-yard run for a 6-0 lead. The rest of Abington's first-half drives stalled, one when Faxon fumbled at midfield after a 20-yard catch.

Carver's only successful drive was highlighted by Holbrook's 19 yards rushing and 14 yards receiving. Jellison's keeper on fourth and inches gave the Crusaders their only points, and tied the game at 6-6. Holbrook intercepted Steve Perakslis one minute before the half but Carver couldn't turn the mistake into points.

Both sides had trouble protecting the ball, especially in a turnover-laden second half.

With Carver trailing, 12-6, Jellison missed senior Wilson Wadlow on a pitch. Wadlow had to chase the ball down in the end zone, and the safety gave Abington a 14-6 lead.

The sloppy play continued in the fourth quarter. Jellison's fumble was recovered by Abington junior Anthony Canada. On the next play, Crusader senior Steve Eldredge picked off Perakslis at midfield. But another Jellison fumble, which the quarterback recovered, forced a punt.

"I told my team beforehand that if we make mistakes, Abington would capitalize on them," said Carver coach Mike Fraccalossi. "It's tough to swallow because it came down to who committed the least turnovers."

The Green Wave had a first-and-goal at the Carver 5 but were stopped four straight times to give the Crusaders possession with 30 seconds left. A short pass to Holbrook was followed by three incompletions, and Abington's win was sealed.

Fraccalossi praised the play of Abington's defensive line, which pressured his quarterback and took away the waggle pass off bootlegs.

"That's a very smart defense," he said. "They took what we do well away from us and there always seemed to be players around the ball."

Despite the win, Kelliher wasn't pleased with his team's performance.

"I'm obviously glad we won but we made some mental mistakes that could have cost us today," he said. "We had three turnovers today and had three scoring opportunities squandered by not being able to get the ball into the end zone. There's no way we should've been stopped at the goal line at the end."