William Penn's no-huddle offense is designed to wear out opposing defenses and has by and large achieved that goal this season.

But with so many athletes playing both ways for the Bearcats, it has had the adverse effect of leaving their own defense fatigued and led to less-than-stellar tackling late in games this season.

"At times we got lazy, and we got tired, and we developed bad habits," William Penn coach Matt Ortega said. "I think we made a slight improvement from Central to Red Land, and I think we can make the same kind of improvement against McDevitt."

The No. 4 Bearcats (10-1) and the No. 5 Crusaders (9-2) both boast high-octane offenses dripping with athleticism. William Penn has scored 48 points or more eight times this season. McDevitt averages 435 yards of total offense per game.

So with a shootout more likely than not in tonight's District 3 Class AAAA quarterfinal at Small Athletic Field, the team that can come through with the critical stop in the second half could very well walk away with the win.

"If we tackle very well and we limit the big play in the passing game, we're going to have a big shot of winning this game," Ortega said.

William Penn has made plenty of big plays of its own on offense this season, led by quarterback Jordan Davis (118-of-194, 2,097 yards, 26 TDs, four interceptions), wide receiver Malik Generett (45 catches, 926 yards, 11 TDs) and running back Steffonte Doby (876 yards, 14

Advertisement
TDs).

McDevitt is led by quarterback Matt Johnson (99-of-146, 1,744 yards) and running back Jameel Poteat (1,154 yards on 174 carries).

"Like York, we have good tailbacks and a lot of big, fast receivers," McDevitt coach Jeff Weachter said. "We're pretty balanced."

McDevitt won district titles in 2005 and 2006, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals last year, the same round William Penn bowed out. But unlike the Crusaders, the Bearcats have historically not had much success in the district playoffs.

"I think experience makes a lot of difference, but I don't know if it applies for them this year because they are very young," Ortega said of McDevitt. "They have a lot of sophomores out there and even some freshmen out there.

"As a program, yes, they've been there and they've won championships, but I think our kids have a lot of experience playing in the postseason now."
smclernon@ydr.com; 771-2045