Thursday, November 26, 2009

Bonner Routs in Thanksgiving Eve Game; Petransky Breaks Record

It was the final game of the year for the Monsignor Bonner football team. They took on Archbishop Carroll in their third annual Thanksgiving Day matchup. Bonner came into the game 5-6 after a big win over Springfield, and looked to finish at the .500 mark for the only the first time in a long time. But they would first have to go through the Patriots. Carroll hasn’t played since their semi-final loss to Bishop McDevitt in the Class AA playoffs.
The first quarter started well for the Friars. Senior RB Eric Petransky rushed for a 25 yard touchdown. Later, junior QB Sean Quarterman threw a beautiful 41 yard touchown pass to a wide open Jack Wichmann. But after, Bonner struggled. Using the Wildcat formation, Carroll was able to score off a 46 yard bootleg by Teron Dobbs. The point after was no good. After the first quarter, Bonner led 14-6. The second quarter led to more struggles by Bonner. Late in the second, Bonner mishandled a snap on a punt attempt, and Carroll recovered at the Bonner 11 yard line. The Bonner defense was able to hold them to only a field goal. Carroll gained the ball back with less than a minute left in the half, and they took advantage of their opportunity. Quarterback Chris Shuster threw a 49 yard pass to Greg DiSanto for the score with 17 seconds left. It looked to be beautifully defended by Bonner’s Sam Christie, but it was an unlucky bounce that led to a score. After the first half, the Patriots led 15-14.
The second half proved to be much different. Bonner dominated the half. It started off with 8:29 left in the third, when Quarterman threw another great pass to Wichmann, this time for a 44 yard touchdown pass. The two point conversion was no good. Five minutes later, the Friars scored again, this time off a Petransky two yard plunge. Once again, the two point conversion was no good. After the third, the score read 26-15. In the fourth, Petransky struck again, this time for a 47 yard touchdown run. Carroll was driving late in the quarter, but the Bonner defense forced a fumble, and recovered the loose pigskin with 4:32 left in the game. Senior Kyle Schuberth sealed it, scoring on a 10 yard touchdown run. Bonner shut the Patriots down, and defeated Carroll 40-15.
Coming into the game, Bonner running back Eric Petransky needed just 83 yards to break the school’s single season rushing record. He didn’t just eclipse that mark. He destroyed it. The senior ran for 241 yards on 21 carries, scoring three touchdowns, en route to breaking the record. The original mark was 1,386 yards. That is no longer, as Petransky finishes his career with 1,544 yards rushing. This is certainly an incredible feat. Sean Quarterman played extremely well last night. He finished 9 for 11 for 129 yards and two touchdowns, both to WR Jack Wichmann. The Bonner defense shut down the Carroll offense in the second half. They were led by senior Greg Wilent, Sam Christie, Kenny Weyler, and junior Brendan Garrison. Bonner finishes the year at 6-6, which is the first time in a long time for the Friar program. The 2009 squad took big strides this year, accomplishing much more than expected. This senior class certainly helped turn around what was a struggling program into a very respectable one this year. Although key seniors will graduate, the 2010 squad looks to build on this success and keep Bonner’s winning ways. With Quarterman returning, along with Jamie Juisti, John McGilligan, and Anthony Jackson, the Friars look poised to make a playoff run. It’s hard to believe, but the football season is over. But all good things must come to an end. Now it’s time for the Bonner basketball team to shine.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Bonner Hockey Falls Just Short

It was a packed house on Friday night for one of the most anticipated games of the year. The Bonner hockey team took on Cardinal O'Hara, and it was hyped up to be a great game. The only problem was that it wasn't. It was over in the first ten seconds. That's no exaggeration, as O'Hara's Conner McCanney scored only ten seconds in. He tallied less then a minute later to put the Lions up 2-0. Less than a minute after the second goal, Mike Marconi put the puck in the net, giving O'Hara a 3-0 lead. No one was expecting this outburst, especially three goals in three minutes. Bonner started to pick it up, getting opportunities from Dave Brewer and Corey Cahill, but were unsuccessful, as O'Hara goalie Mike Amorosa shut the Friars down. Bonner started to pick up momentum, but with two minutes left, that momentum was destroyed, as Mike Ranalli gave the blue and red a 4-0 lead.
The second period was no different. Andrew Greenleaf, Steve Cantando, Bobby Franzini, and Bryan Reed all scored one goal apiece, and Mike Marconi added two more for O'Hara. The game didn't make it to the third period, as the mercy rule came into effect. It was an extremely rough night for Bonner goalie Bryan McLaughlin. He made 16 saves on the night, but allowed six goals, some of them soft ones. Senior Steve Gallo, who probably should have started, played well in his eleven minutes of ice time, stopping 12 shots. But it wasn't enough. O'Hara dominated this game, showing that they were the superior team. O'Hara improves to 2-1 on the year. Meanwhile, Bonner falls to 2-2-1. The Friars next opponent will be Conwell-Egan, November 30th at Grundy Ice Rink. The next meeting between the two squads will be January 11th. This gives Bonner plenty of time to prepare and get ready, and hope for a better result next game.
As usual, the Bonner hockey faithful were out in full force, supporting the Friars even as the game was out of hand. O'Hara's "faithul" included two clowns. Both had white face paint on, and what looked to be red and blue pom-poms on their head, giving the appearance of a clown from the circus. Their crowd included stolen chants from the Bonner section, as well as using an airhorn. Who brings an airhorn? The t-shirt toss at the end was a little over the top. It's a high school hockey game, not the Phantoms T-shirt toss. Bonner had to get some credit for the night, which, was the student section. I Guess we'll have to wait until basketball season for real recognition.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Bonner, O'Hara Clash Friday Night

On Friday night, the Skatium will play host to another chapter in the storied rivalry between the Monsignor Bonner and Cardinal O'Hara hockey teams. The neighborhood schools, well, don't like each other to say the least. Trash talk has been started already, exemplified with the Facebook event. Fans and players alike have hatred for one another. Grade school friends become enemies when there is a Bonner O'Hara hockey game. It is one of, if not the most important game of the year for both squads.
The 2009-10 Bonner club is led by captains Rob Cantando and Dave Brewer. Brewer, along with junior Corey Cahill, are tied for the team lead in goals with three apiece, and Cahill leads the team in points with five. Goalie Steve Gallo has played well in net through the opening part of the season so far, posting a 3.33 GAA and an 88.1 save percentage. Bonner has played four games so far, going 2-1-1. They defeated Archbishop Carroll and Lansdale Catholic. The Friars tied Boyertown 2-2, and fell to St. Joe's Prep.
Meanwhile, O'Hara has only played twice, and have a record of 1-1. The Lions defeated Roman Catholic, and dropped a contest to Holy Ghost Prep.They are led by seniors Mike Marconi and Steve Falcone. Both have one goal apiece this year, and Marconi leads the team in points with three. O'Hara's Jeff Holland posts a 3.00 GAA, while holding an 86.96 save percentage in net. Marconi, as well as Mike McGrath, are transfers from Bonner to O'Hara for hockey. Bonner players and fans aren't too happy about that, and both will be greeted with "open arms" when the Lions take the ice.
Unfortunately, O'Hara has dominated this contest the last couple years. However, Bonner has been almost able to pull the upset on a couple of occasions. Last year, after going down 3-0 in the first, Bonner came roaring back to tie the game 3-3, only to fall short. Two years ago, in a game everyone will remember for more of the fans antics than the game itself, Bonner came back from a deficit to tie the game in a playoff game, only to fall short again, giving up a goal with seconds left in the game. This year's battle looks to be a good one. Both teams look poised to take the first of two match ups between the squads. O'Hara looks to continue its winning ways over the Friars, while Bonner looks to upset the Lions. This should be a good match up between the two arch-rivals. You will not want to miss this game. The puck drops at 7:00 pm Friday night at the Skatium in Havertown.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Penalties Prove Costly for Friars in 4-1 Loss

One thing coaches, and players, hate in a game are penalties. Bonner's coach had to be furious after Monday's 4-1 loss to St. Joe's Prep. The calls came at critical points of the game after Bonner started to pick up momentum.
The Prep started the scoring off in the middle of the first period. Tim DiPietro tallied to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. That lead did not last long, as less than a minute later, junior Frank Lanni scored to tie the game. Once again, a lead didn't hold for very long, as DiPietro put the puck in the back of the net two minutes later to give the Prep a 2-1 lead, a lead they would not relinquish. In the second period, DiPietro was able to score again early on to give St. Joe's a 3-1 lead. The third period saw only one goal, again by Prep, but this time at the hands of Kevin Melone midway through the period to seal the game. It was a big night for DiPietro however, as he tallied the Prep's first three goals for the hat trick. Both goalies played very well for their respective teams. Paul Sjostrom made 27 saves on 28 shots. Meanwhile, Bonner's Steve Gallo stopped 30 shots. As stated, penalties proved costly for Bonner. Roughing calls and misconducts certainly won't help a teams winning cause, and these were the majority of the penalties taken by Friar, as well as Prep players.
Bonner drops to 2-1-1 on the year, and remain 2-0 in their division. Friday night will be the biggest contest of the year so far for the Friars. They'll match up against bitter rival Cardinal O'Hara for the first of two meetings Friday at 7:00 pm at the Skatium in Havertown. O'Hara is 1-1 on the year, losing to Holy Ghost Prep and defeating Roman Catholic. This is a heated rivalry, to say the least. These teams do not like each other at all. This should be a very interesting game. You will not want to miss this game.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Bonner Football Wins Shootout with Springfield

The lights were on for Saturday’s clash between Monsignor Bonner and Springfield. The strange part about that was that the game time was 2:30 pm. By 4:40, it was dark out, giving one the feeling that it was a night game. Lingering clouds from Friday’s rain overshadowed Springfield High School, which may have led to a low crowd turnout. It was Springfield’s last game of the year, and the second to last for the Friars. Unfortunately for the Cougars, they end their season on a sour note, losing in a rout by a score of 47-30. The game certainly wasn’t a defensive struggle. Both teams combined for 77 points, including 56 in the first half, and also combined for 853 total offensive yards.
The story of the game, as it has been all year long, was senior RB Eric Petransky. The second team All Catholic rushed for four touchdowns, totaling 226 yards. He would have had a fifth touchdown had it not been for a holding penalty called late in the fourth quarter. Petransky had two rushing touchdowns totaling more than 80 yards. His first was an 84 yard scamper. After losing a fumble, his next touch two drives later totaled 80 yards. All four of his touchdowns came in the first half. It was a very big day to say the least for the Bonner running back. Not to be outdone was junior QB Sean Quartarmen. He was 8-12 throwing for 2 touchdowns and 187 yards. He threw his touchdown passes to junior Jamie Juisti for a 41 yard score in the first half, and then with eight minutes left in the fourth to John McGillian. The second pass came on 3rd and 21 from midfield. Quartarman threw a bomb and McGillian was able to make an incredible catch in double coverage for the score. Senior captain Kyle Schuberth rushed for Bonner’s final score with 4:30 left in the game. The lone bright spot for Springfield was RB Matt Craig, who ran 159 yards and three touchdowns. The other Cougar score came on a pass from QB Wally Rutecki to Josh Cavanaugh late in the game.
The Bonner defense stepped up big in the second half, shutting down the Springfield attack. After yielding 22 first half points, the Friars wreaked havoc on the offense and were able to stop the Cougar no-huddle offense. Senior Mike Murphy had an interception on the day, and Sam Christie and Kenny Weyler made big plays on defense. The unit only yielded one touchdown in the second half, which came after the game was already in hand for the Friars.
The win improves the Friars overall record to 5-6. Meanwhile Springfield ends its year at 5-7. It’s hard to believe, but there is just one game remaining for Monsignor Bonner. That game will be a Thanksgiving Day meeting with Archbishop Carroll. The Patriots are coming off a loss in the Catholic League AA semifinals to Bishop McDevitt, losing 21-0. The final game will be played Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, at 10 am at Upper Darby High School. Don’t miss the last chance to see the 2009 Friar squad.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Big Week in Bonner Sports

The Bonner football team takes on the Springfield Cougars Saturday, November 14th, at 2:30 pm. Due to the field conditions, the game has been moved from Upper Darby High School to Springfield High School. Springfield is 5-6 on the year, and missed the Central League playoffs by a game. Meanwhile the Friars are 4-6, and with two games remaining, are looking to get back and finish at .500 for the year.
Bonner hockey looks to continue its winning ways. After a 6-1 win over Bishop McDevitt Thursday, the Friars have two tough match ups this week. The first is a date with St. Joe's Prep Monday night at 7:30 at the Skatium. The second is a big game for Bonner. They'll take on rival Cardinal O'Hara, Friday November 20th at 7:00 pm. This game is also at the Skatium

Welcome

My name is Brian Nestel. I'm a senior at Monsignor Bonner High School. I plan on going to college and majoring in Journalism. Currently, I write articles for the Bonner football team on a website called Tedsilary.com. It's a big high school sports website that covers football, basketball, and baseball, covering the Catholic League, Public League, and Inter-Ac. I'm setting up this blog so that every sport at Bonner and Prendie get publicity, not just the "big three." I'll report on the hockey team, track team, lacrosse teams, as well as football, basketball and baseball. Spread the word to your friends, family, and anyone you want. Check back every now and then to see whats going on in the Bonner sports world.