Colonials fall to Plum on emotional night
Rob Burchianti | Herald-Standard
The Albert Gallatin cheerleaders show off their “#SheaStrong” shirts during the Colonials’ game against Plum on Friday night. Albert Gallatin staged a “blackout” for the game with most fans wearing the special shirt in honor of the Shea family. Sophomore Dylan Shea’s mother, Radelle Shea, died in a vehicle accident last Saturday morning.
Albert Gallatin quarterback Tristan Robinson (14) pitches the ball to running back Bruno Fabrycki (8) during Friday night’s game at Plum at Albert Gallatin.
Rob Burchianti | Herald-Standard
Albert Gallatin's Torry Robinson (25) can't prevent Plum's Maximos Matolcsy (7) from returning a fumble for a touchdown during Friday night's game at Albert Gallatin. Matolcsy also returned and interception for a touchdown in the Mustangs' 45-7 victory.
Albert Gallatin quarterback Braeden Moody (11) completes a pass to Cole Dupont (2) against Plum during Friday night's game at Albert Gallatin.
Albert Gallatin coach Drew Dindl talks to quarterback Braeden Moody (11) during a timeout in Friday night's game against Plum at Albert Gallatin.
Albert Gallatin's Dylan Shea (6) bursts into Plum's backfield during Friday night's game at Albert Gallatin.
Albert Gallatin running back Cole Dupont (2) turns the corner against Plum during Friday night's game at Albert Gallatin.
Albert Gallatin's Dylan Shea (6) and Caleb Lang (28) take off with the snap of the ball during Friday night's game against Plum at Albert Gallatin.
Albert Gallatin's Christian Stone (24) throws a block to try to create running room for the Colonials' Bruno Fabrycki (8) against Plum during Friday night's game at Albert Gallatin.
Albert Gallatin's Angelo Doyle (21) and Antonio Efford (10) try to track down Plum's William Guzzi (1) during Friday night's game at Albert Gallatin.
The Albert Gallatin band performs during halftime of the Colonials' game against Plum Friday night at Albert Gallatin.
An Albert Gallatin majorette performs with flaming batons during halftime of Friday night's game against Plum at Albert Gallatin.
The Albert Gallatin band's drumline performs during halftime of Friday night's game against Plum at Albert Gallatin.
The Albert Gallatin Colonials mascot entertains the crowd during Friday night's game against Plum at Albert Gallatin.
YORK RUN — The outcome was secondary when Albert Gallatin hosted Plum in a Class 5-A Big East football game on Friday night.
The Colonials had gone through an emotional week after finding out about the death of a player’s parent last Saturday morning. Sophomore Dylan Shea’s mother, Radelle A. Shea, died in a vehicle accident in a tragedy that hit the entire team hard.
Albert Gallatin touted a “blackout” for the game as most of of its fans wore “#SheaStrong” shirts in support of the family.
The Colonials came out strong, scoring on their first possession for a 7-0 lead, but the Mustangs rebounded with a kickoff return and a fumble return both for first-quarter touchdowns that propelled the visitors to a 45-7 victory.
“There’s no way you prepare for something like that,” AG coach Drew Dindl said of the heart-breaking death of one of the Colonials’ family members. “It brought us closer together … but there is just nothing that gets you ready for something like that.
“It’s a tough time right now.”
Dindl said he was appreciative of the strong backing the school and fans supplied.
“It’s been unbelievable the support that they’ve given the Shea family,” Dindl said. “Nobody deserves it more. That’s a great family. I’ve known them for a long time. It’s just great to see everybody being so supportive and helping in a time of need like that.”
The Colonials (0-7, 0-4) took their first lead of the season when Christian Stone scored on a nine-yard touchdown run to cap their opening drive and Nathan Sutton kicked the extra point.
“That was just one of our counter plays off of our veer,” Dindl said.
The advantage was short-lived, however, as Plum’s Reed Martin returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, and Tyler Kolankowski booted the first of his six extra points to tie the score, 7-7.
AG fumbled on its next possession and the ball bounced into the hands of the Mustangs’ Maximos Matolcsy who returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to put the visitors ahead to stay.
“We had a nice long drive, then we gave it right back to them on their kick return,” Dindl said. “That took the wind out of our sails.
“It’s been all year like that, as soon as something bad happens they stay down. We’ve got to try to get that changed where we have a little resiliency and come back and be OK when that happens.”
Martin scored on a six-yard touchdown run later in the quarter to give Plum (2-5, 1-5) a 21-7 lead.
The Mustangs added a 13-yard TD run by James Schropp and a 36-yard field goal by Kolankowski in the second quarter to build a 31-7 halftime lead.
William Guzzi’s nine-yard touchdown run with 8:45 left in the third quarter made it 38-7. Matolcsy capped the game’s scoring with a nine-yard interception return for a touchdown in the final seconds of the quarter, his second defensive TD of the night.
The Colonials coughed the ball up four times.
“Turnovers killed us,” Dindl said.
Albert Gallatin did come up with a couple defensive turnovers as well. Torry Robinson’s interception stopped a Plum drive at the AG 18 early in the third quarter, and Braeden Moody recovered a fumble to halt the Mustangs’ next possession inside the AG 10.
The Colonials couldn’t muster much offense after their opening burst. Cole Dupont led AG in rushing with 26 yards on 10 carries. Moody completed two of four passes for 17 yards. Robinson had one reception for 12 yards and Dupont had one for five yards.
Schropp led all rushers with 105 yards on 11 carries. Plum out-gained Albert Gallatin, 301-77.
“Like I told them at the end, it’s there. We can do it,” Dindl said. “It’s just maintaining those drives, and not making mistakes, shooting ourselves in the foot. We’ve done that several times this year.”
Dindl admitted that the Colonials must eventually improve in the trenches to have sustained success. The Mustangs controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for most of the game.
“We’re just physically out-matched every week, that is true,” Dindl said. “I’m not making excuses. We’ve just got to get in the weight room once the offseason hits and get bigger and stronger. We’ve got to be able to catch up with these guys.”
Big East Conference (5-A)
Albert Gallatin 7-0-0-0 — 7
Plum 21-10-14-0 — 45
First Quarter
AG: Christian Stone 9 run (Nathan Sutton kick)
P: Reed Martin 89 kickoff return (Tyler Kolankowski kick)
P: Maximos Matolcsy 35 fumble return (Tyler Kolankowski kick)
P: Reed Martin 6 run (Tyler Kolankowski kick)
Second Quarter
P: James Schropp 13 run (Tyler Kolankowski kick)
P: Tyler Kolankowski 36 field goal
Third Quarter
P: William Guzzi 9 run (Tyler Kolankowski kick)
P: Maximos Matolcsy 9 interception return (Tyler Kolankowski kick)
Records: Plum (2-5, 1-5), Albert Gallatin (0-7, 0-4).