Red Knights can't take advantage in loss to Bearcats

by Brian Rippey, Reading Eagle

Posted on September 3, 2006

Reading High has its chances, but struggles most of the game in an overtime loss to York.

Every time Reading High seemed to have its back against the wall, York would create a little opening.
The Red Knights escaped a series that started from inside their 5-yard line to begin the fourth quarter of a scoreless game.

They watched Bearcats kicker Aaron Daniels miss a potential game-winning 27-yard field goal on the final play of the fourth quarter, then saw Daniels leave the door open again with a missed extra point in overtime.

But the Red Knights offense, bottled up all night, was unable to walk through the open door Friday night in its season opener at rain-soaked Shirk Stadium.

Quarterback Robert Kresge's fourth-down pass attempt to wide receiver Jermaine Jackson was intercepted on the final play of the game as York escaped with a 6-0 overtime win.

“We had opportunities,” Reading coach Victor Brown said. “It's always frustrating when you can't score. They did a good job taking us out of our sweep, which is our strength.”

The Red Knights were unable to run outside against a quick Bearcats defense. Reading was limited to one first down and 16 total yards in the first half.

Running back Malcolm Williams, who rushed for more than 800 yards last year for the Red Knights, was held to 22 yards on 10 carries.

Reading's biggest weapon was Ty Tomlinson, who punted eight times, six in the first half.

“York's a good football team,” Brown said. “We knew they were going to present problems for us because of their front being so aggressive. They have great athletes over there on that defense. It makes things tough sometimes.”

Frank Parker-Stewart, who kept Reading in it in the first half with two fumble recoveries, was called on in the second half to pump life into the offense.

Running between the tackles, Parker-Stewart carried on the first nine plays of the fourth quarter to help the Red Knights move from their 2 almost to midfield.

But on the ninth carry, Parker-Stewart fumbled and York took over at the Reading 43 with 6:46 left.

The Bearcats drove to the Reading 1 with less than a minute left before a lineman moved prior to the snap to set York back 5 yards. With no timeouts left, York quarterback Malik Generette was forced to spike the ball to set up Daniels' errant field goal.

In overtime, York got the ball first on the 10-yard line and allowed 6-0, 225-pound fullback Randale Preston to bull his way through the middle three straight times. The third one, from 1 yard out, put the first points on the board.

When Daniels missed the PAT, it meant the Red Knights still could pull out the win by moving 10 yards and kicking an extra point.

But two running plays netted just 3 yards and two Kresge passes missed their mark as York won the first game between the schools in 20 years.

“The defense played extremely well,” Brown said. “They gave us great field position all night, we just could not capitalize on it.”

Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.

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