Five picks propel Phantoms to victory

by Barry Sankey, The Phoenix

Posted on November 1, 2008

PHOENIXVILLE — When it comes to forcing turnovers on defense, Phoenixville ranks right up there with the best football teams in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

The Phantoms illustrated that penchant for ballhawking Friday night against Methacton at Washington Field.

Phoenixville intercepted five passes en route to a 27-22 victory over the Warriors on the Phantoms' Senior Night.

Phoenixville (6-2, 7-3 overall) kept itself in the running for a possible District 1-Class AAA playoff berth while dropping the first-year league entry Methacton to 4-4 (5-5).

The Phantoms' Will Killeen pilfered two passes while Ricky Yenchick, Tom Romano and Vince Ciaverelli each picked off one by Methcton quarterback James McHugh.

Anthony Nattle scored two touchdowns for Phoenixville, one on a 22-yard pass from Romano and the other on an eight-yard run. Abdul Kelly darted 42 yards for a touchdown, and tight end Ciaverelli snagged a seven-yard scoring toss from Romano.

After a scoreless first period, Phoenixville fell behind 6-0 but managed to take a 7-6 halftime lead on the pass to Nattle with 20 seconds left in the second period and John McInally's placement.

The Phantoms fell behind again 14-7 on a 92-yard return of the second-half kickoff by Scott Burnick. However, Romano's interception set up his scoring pass to Ciaverelli with 5:25 to go in the third period. McInally's extra point tied the game at 14-14.

Killeen's interception and 43-yard return to the Methacton 34-yard line set up the Phantoms' go-ahead score. A personal foul on a facemask penalty on a run by Kelly pushed the ball to the Warrior 11, and two plays later, Nattle bounced outside around left end to score with 1:09 showing the quarter for a 21-14 lead.

Then, after stopping the Warriors on downs, Kelly's burst with 3:05 on the clock in the fourth period gave the hosts a 27-14 advantage. Methacton cut the gap on a shovel pass from left-handed backup quarterback Ryan Kelly to running back Steve Capizzi with 2:19 left. Tim Smith ran for the two-point conversion.

The Warriors attempted an onside kick, but Nattle recovered the ball at the Phoenixville 42-yard line. Methacton held and got the ball back. The Warriors moved to the Phantom 43, where a fourth-and-20 pass play failed with 56 ticks left. The Phantoms then ran out the clock.

"It was a big win," said Nattle. "We had a bunch of younger kids step up with key interceptions. Ciaverelli and Romano had interceptions that were really big. Our defensive line is really good and the linebackers came up. The cornerbacks did their job in the passing game."

Abdul Kelly rushed for 99 yards on 17 carries, while Nattle gained 81 yards on 16 tries. Romano completed 5 of 14 passes for 78 yards and two scores with one pick by Tim Smith in the opening period.

Rusty Bryant was Methacton's top rusher with 64 yards on 11 gains while Steve Capizzi had 39 yards on 10 plays.

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