John Elway Move Over: Phantoms Score With 20 Seconds Left

FAIRVIEW VILLAGE-Capping an impressive come-from-behind two-minute drill, senior tailback Vinny Nattle followed a lead block from Ryan Yenchick into the end zone with 20 seconds remaining in regulation propelling Phoenixville to a 32-28 win in its Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) season opener.

The Phantoms' (3-0) key to the early success thus far has been the domination of the offensive line and its ability to allow coach Bill Furlong’s stable of thoroughbreds to run in the wide-open spaces provided by them.

For 24 minutes on Saturday, Phoenixville was on the other end of a dominant line performance as Methacton controlled the trenches on both sides of the ball, taking a 14-8 lead into the intermission.

“We talked at halftime about stepping it up. We knew we did not have a great half of football but were still in it,” said Nattle. “Our offensive line did an outstanding job in the second half. They were exploding off the line and giving us holes and [quarterback] Alec [McQuiston] plenty of time to get the ball downfield. This is a great feeling, but I will be sore tomorrow. This was a battle.”

The biggest play of the game came with 2:18 left in the third quarter following the Warriors (1-2) taking a 21-8 lead.

Yenchick, who also recorded the biggest hit of the game, scampered down the sideline on a left-side hand off from McQuiston 32 yards for a touchdown. Following a two-point conversion pass to Ryan Panella, the Phantoms had life and cut the lead to five.

On the ensuing Phantoms' possession, McQuiston, who is more know for his success with his feet, showed that his brain and his arm are equally dangerous as he worked the field like a surgeon.

McQuiston led the Phantoms through the air and on the ground as he converted on three third downs, during a four-minute drive that culminated with Nattle bulldozing his way through the line from the 3-yard line with 6:19 remaining to give Phoenixville a 24-21 lead after Yenchick converted the two-point try.

The celebration on the Phantoms' sideline and bleachers was short-lived as it took the Warriors and quarterback Brandon Bossard five plays to regain the lead as Bossard hit Cooper Given on a perfectly executed fly pattern from the 9-yard line putting the hosts back on top 28-24 with 3:18 left.

“I know the guys went through the ringer last season,” said Furlong. “I think they matured a lot during that time and it was that maturity that helped us come through this game today. These are the guys I would go to war with and Alec [McQuiston] showed today that he is a very good quarterback, not just a runner.” 

McQuiston got his hands on the ball with exactly three minutes on the clock and began to orchestrate a drive that they will talk about for weeks as he again converted on three third downs, to complement the help he got from a pass interference call as well.

With the nose of the ball at the 25-yard line of the Warriors and the Phantoms facing a fourth and five, McQuiston drilled the ball right on the numbers of Yenchick, who had dropped a ball the play before. The junior stretched out for the yard marker winding up out of bounds at the 17.

Three plays later it was Yenchick leading the way for Nattle who scored a two-yard burst, following Travis Andrews being declared out of bounds as he reached for the pylon on the previous play.

“When I dropped that pass I already had tears in my eyes, I have to be honest,” said Yenchick. “It show what kind of coach we have and his confidence in us. He came right back to me. When I got back in the huddle everyone was settling me down and telling me I would get another chance, to keep my head up. I was so glad to be able to make up for the drop. What a great game.”

Phoenixville       0            8            8          16            -32

Methacton        7            7            7            7            -28