Check out the recap of Harry S Truman’s 20-7 win over Council Rock North on Thursday. Game photos provided courtesy of Richard Owens. Check back for a gallery of photos. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports' FOOTBALL GALLERIES.
SOL Continental Conference
HARRY S TRUMAN 20, COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 7
Raheem Bradley called it his “best birthday ever,” and the Harry S Truman senior might be hard pressed to top this one.
Bradley celebrated his special day with a three-touchdown performance that included a rushing touchdown, a pick 6 and a pass reception for a TD. In other words, all three of his team’s touchdowns in the Tigers’ 20-7 win.
“The kids sang to him – it was a neat moment,” Truman coach Frank McArdle said. “He’s been battling an ankle injury. He’s
an outstanding player – he does so much for us. He rolled his ankle in the first scrimmage, and he gutted his way through it. He’s finally healthy, and he played the way he thought he would play tonight.”
The win was the first of the season for the Tigers after an 0-4 start, and Bradley, for one, was not surprised.
“We had a good week of practice, and that really translated to the victory” he said. “I knew I was going to play good because it was my birthday, and I had to show up.”
Bradley is a four-year veteran of the program. He’s heard the taunts over the years, but while some of his teammates walked away, that was never a consideration for the senior.
“I just don’t pay no mind,” he said of the taunts. “I just prove myself on the field.”
He certainly did just that in Thursday’s win.
It was Bradley taking it in for a rushing touchdown in the opening quarter to spot the Tigers a 7-0 lead, and that lead grew to 14-0 early in the second quarter when Bradley returned an interception for a touchdown. His third TD – on a pass from quarterback Evan Houser – sent the Tigers into halftime with a 20-0 lead.
Rock North got on the scoreboard in the third quarter, the only score of the second half.
“They kicked an onsides kick,” McArdle said. “Give them credit. I thought we should have recovered it, but they recovered it and they went down the field and scored.
“We had two touchdowns called back. We took control of the game.”
McArdle – who previously coached in the PCL at Archbishop Ryan and Father Judge - is Truman’s third coach in four years.
“(The program) has changed in many ways,” Bradley said. “Last year when things got a little rough, we had a couple of players quit on us. That brought the team chemistry down and made it harder, but this year even when times got tough, nobody quit. Everybody stuck together and kept supporting each other.”
Thursday’s win was the program’s first since 2022 in the Suburban One League.
“These kids deserve it,” McArdle said. “They’ve been taunted and told they’re not good. They tuned all that out – just played and chopped, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.
“Right now we’re 1-4, but these kids – we haven’t had one argument, one fight, one kid mouth off to a coach. They just showed up every day and practiced hard. We had some rough games, but these kids have done everything right, and they absolutely deserve it. I genuinely mean this – I couldn’t be happier for them.”
There was plenty of praise to go around after Thursday’s win. McArdle began by crediting the Tigers’ offensive line – Lincoln Goldey, Nolan Goldey, Danny Comski, Zamir Moore, Christian Willis and Gio Miletto.
“Koko Johnson played tailback and did an outstanding job tonight,” the Tigers’ coach said. “He ran for a lot of yards.
“Gavin Stone and Luke Quitola were full back and tight end, and they played really well. Our quarterback, Evan Houser, played a great game.”
There was no overstating the significance of Thursday’s win.
“It was huge,” McArdle said. “For one – just to show them that their hard work is paying off, and we kept telling them as a staff it would because they were doing everything right, and they deserved it.
“I’ve been very fortunate in my career. I’ve been part of some big wins, but this one – I’m so happy for these kids. They deserve everything. The bus ride home was great. They’re so proud of themselves. Even during the week, our scout team guys contributed. We have a true team right now.”
The players received a warm reception when they returned to school Friday.
“It was really exciting,” said Bradley, who hopes to continue his football career at the collegiate level. “Everybody was proud, we got a lot of congratulations. Let’s take this victory and this feeling into next week.”
Up next: Harry S Truman (1-4, 1-1 SOL) will travel to Upper Dublin on Friday, and Council Rock North (0-5, 0-2) will be on the road at Quakertown next Friday.
Harry S Truman 7-13-0-0 20
Council Rock North 0-0-7-0 7
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