Making progress

McDade accounts for 300 yards, 3 TDs, Leino kicks 2 FGs as Pennsville matches most wins in a season since 2021

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON — Pennsville took another step towards becoming the football team coach Mike Healy knows it can be, jumping out front early and then doing the things necessary to stay ahead when their opponent made it close.

Sophomore quarterback Robbie McDade accounted for 300 yards of offense and three touchdowns as the Eagles beat Cumberland in a key Royal Division game 25-12 for their third win of the season.

The Eagles entered the game No. 17 in the South Jersey Group I UPR ratings, one spot out of a playoff spot, and the win moved them into sole possession of second place in the Royal Division At 3-2, they have matched the most wins in a season since 2021 and haven’t had a winning record this late in the season since starting 4-1 in 2016.

“It was obviously an important game with power points and playoff position and all that, We still made a lot of mistakes, but we definitely stepped up when we needed to and made the plays, but we’ve still got a lot of room to fix and be more consistent.

“We still think we have a lot of room for improvement because we know we’regood enough to do it, but there was a lot of really good stuff today.”

McDade had a big game. He threw for 205 yards on 16-of-29 passing — all career highs — and rushed for 102 yards. Malik Rehmer caught nine balls for 144 yards and a touchdown and Jackson Leino kicked a pair of field goals.

“We needed him to step up and he did a good job throwing and running the ball,” Healy said. “He definitely threw the ball better today and he ran real tough today. We ran him a little more than usual and we got some big first downs for us and big plays. It was real good to see.

“He’s still growing every day and learning, but its definitely a step for him in the right direction.”

The other element that gave him encouragement was after the Colts made it a one-score game early in the third quarter, the Eagles didn’t back down. Instead, they drove back down the field behind their line and got a field goal to extend their lead.

McDade’s 15-yard touchdown run in the closing seconds of the quarter gave the Eagles some breathing room and then they handled their business defensively in the fourth quarter to stay out front.

“We did a lot of good stuff today,” Healy said. “Consistency’s still kind of our thing, but I’m proud of the kids how they stepped up. In the past we might have folded in that situation, but instead we didn’t. We did a great job of stepping up when we needed to and refocusing and getting the job done. To step up and meet what was needed was huge.”

Pennsville 25, Cumberland 12

Pennsville (3-2)	7	9	9	0 –	25
Cumberland (2-4)	0	6	6	0 –	12

Scoring plays:
P – Robbie McDade 16 run (Jackson Leino kick), 11:11 1Q
P – Jackson Leino 24 FG, 11:12 2Q
P – Malik Rehmer 8 pass from Robbie McDade (kick failed), 6:35 2Q
C – 30 blocked punt return (run failed), 3:05 2Q
C – 48 run (kick failed), 10:47 3Q
P – Jackson Leino 33 FG, 6:49 3Q
P – Robbie McDade 15 run (kick failed), 0:16 3Q

Cover photo of Pennsville quarterback Robbie McDade by Lorraine Jenkins