McDade passes for 4 TDs, intercepts a pair of passes and Pennsville rolls over Collingswood for fifth win in six games; turnaround gets them a home playoff game
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
COLLINGSWOOD – Robbie McDade is literally doing it all for the Pennsville football team this season and Friday night he basically did.
The senior quarterback, linebacker and special teams blocker threw four touchdown passes and had two interceptions as the Eagles swamped Collingswood 36-15 to finish the regular season with a winning record and presumptively procure a home game in the opening round of the South Jersey Group I playoffs.
Not bad for a team that started the season 0-3.
“We came in today and we executed in all three phases of the game,” McDade said. “The O-line played a great game and the receivers came up big and made big-time plays.
“Defensively, I had to step up and make big-time plays when we needed them most.”
McDade threw a pair of touchdown passes to Perry Meranti and one each to Adrian Alleyne and Kane Green. The touchdown throws covered 25, 43, 21 and 60 yards.
“He’s been coming back from surgery and his arm is getting better,” Eagles coach Mike Healy said. “It’s a huge difference that we can now throw the ball, push the ball downfield, compared to earlier this year.
“Obviously, we’re a running football team. Now we can take advantage of teams trying to stop the run and win some matchups. That’s gonna be a huge help.”
McDade’s first interception was as big a play as any of his touchdown throws. He stopped a potential go-ahead drive inside the 10 with the Eagles leading 14-8, Then he turned around on offense and directed a 95-yard drive that gave the Eagles a 20-8 halftime lead.
“Robbie doesn’t just play offense and defense, Robbie plays everywhere,” assistant coach Ryan Wood said. “He’s even a blocker on our kickoff team.”
“The only thing he’s not on is PAT and punt – and we don’t do much of either right now,” Healy said.
The Eagles went into the game ranked sixth in the South Jersey Group I power points standings and a projected 3-seed in the South Jersey bracket after a big jump the week before. The official GridironNJ UPR index won’t be updated until after Saturday’s games, but the Central Jersey Sports Radio projection that’s as good as any entity’s has them still sixth after Friday night’s results. (It also has Salem 9 and Schalick 13, but both play Saturday)
“The way we’ve matured offensively and defensively, we’re playing much better now; in a much better position,” Healy said. “Kind of the same thing we did last year, but this year we’re going to get a home playoff game out of it.”
Pennsville 36, Collingswood 15
| Pennsville (5-4) | 8 | 12 | 8 | 8- | 36 |
| Collingswood (5-4) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 7- | 15 |
SCORING SUMMARY
P – Kane Green 60 pass from Robbie McDade (pass good)
CO – John Antrilli 1 run (Semaj Trotman pass from John Antrilli)
P – Perry Meranti 25 pass from Robbie McDade (run failed)
P – Adrian Alleyne 21 pass from Robbie McDade (run failed)
P – Perry Meranti 43 pass from Robbie McDade (Kane Green pass from Robbie McDade)
P – Rylan Hardy 4 run (Robbie McDade run)
CO – Terrance Goffney 34 run (Lino Bataloni kick)
Riverview Sports News 