WEST CHESTER -Thursday’s annual Purple and Gold game at Farrell Stadium ceremoniously marked the end of the West Chester football team’s spring practice, while also marking the beginning of the rigorous summer session preparing the football team for the 2007 season. The Purple and Gold game matches the first team offense against the second team defense and vice versa, in an attempt to develop team cohesion, as well as scout individual player performances against teammates of similar dexterity.
Unlike previous years where the offense clearly outplayed the defense, this year’s game was ruled by a quick and aggressive defense.
Both teams began the first half feeling each other out, trying to set the tone with defensive blitz packages rather than big offensive plays. After a series of excellent defensive stops by both teams, the Purple squad decided to spice things up, drawing first blood.
With less than five minutes left in the first quarter, Purple quarterback Bill Zwaan Jr. successfully executed a flea-flicker, connecting with senior receiver Cody Clarke, wide open down the field for a 70-yard gain. Dean Millard capped the drive off with a 1-yard touchdown run, but a missed extra point attempt by Alex Walsh, leaving Purple with a 6-0 lead.
The Gold team responded in the second, by capitalizing on Purple’s consistent blitzing. On almost every defensive play, Purple had players in the gold backfield. This quick rush was eventually picked up by Gold quarterback Joe Wright, who stepped up into the over pursuit of the Purple rush, and scampered 44 yards into the Purple red zone. Despite stingy defense by Purple, Gold eventually got on the board thanks to a two-yard out pass from Wright to Pat McDermott, putting Gold on top 7-6.
Both teams struggled to move the ball as the half ran down, though Gold running back, Lee Hopkins gashed the Purple defense for 69 yards on 11 carries, in an impressive showing.
Yet in spite of a steady dose of Hopkins and the Gold run game, Purple got the last word of the half on another big play. Wide receiver Steve Miller made his presence felt by running a very crisp post pattern that resulted in an 80-yard touchdown pass from Zwaan. This concluded the first half, with Purple on top, 13-7.
The second half began with a running clock, and even more aggressive defensive play from both teams. New quarterbacks Mike Quinn (Purple) and Tom Maha (Gold) started off the second half being chased around the field. No real progress was made on the ground, because both offenses could not find any constancy. Because of the running clock, the half ended almost as quickly as it began, concluding the misery of the second half offenses that were being hunted for game by the defenses. The final score of the game was 16-7 purple.
If this game is any indicator of the future, there are plenty of players to be excited about for the upcoming season.
Purple receiver Steve Miller had an excellent game, running very disciplined routes, and gaining 100 yards on two receptions, with one touchdowngrab. Gold quarterback Joe Wright also impressed with his presence in the pocket, and ability to scramble showing his foot speed. Wright had nine completions on 18 attempts for 77 yards, including 67 yards rushing.
One of the most overlooked butimpressive players of the game was Purple punter Alex Walsh. Walsh averaged 46 yards per punt, amassing 136 yards on three attempts. His booming kicks kept the Gold team out of end zone striking distance, and more importantly out of field goal range.
When asked about the conclusion of their spring, head coach Bill Zwaan said “We’ve had a pretty good spring. This is a good final game for the kids, it was kind of fun. There were probably too many mistakes here and there. I think it was a good approach. The kids played hard and they enjoyed themselves and that’s what we wanted to get out of the game.” When asked about the teams demeanor coming into the 2007 season he replied, “Expectations are high. We are not going to hide that.”
If the Purple and Gold game is a very early indicator of what is to come of the upcoming season from a player and coaching perspective, it showed what weapons the Golden Rams have in their armory.
The Golden Rams exhibited an extremely potent quick strike offense, as well as a fast, aggressive defense led by Lateef Ferguson, that will be very fun to watch during the 2007 campaign. If the Golden Rams can match their defensive attitude with big play offense, and a pinch of smash mouth football, then they will in fact be a force to be reckoned with not only in the PSAC but also to all opponents they face this upcoming season.