Witherow sets new passing mark; Malvern shuts out Strasburg

By Carol McIntire
Editor
Jared Witherow is etching his name in the Malvern football history book.
The sophomore quarterback set a new single game passing record Friday with 350 yards through the air against the Strasburg Tigers Friday at Malvern. The new mark is 13 yards better than the previous record of 337 yards set in 2010 by Shawn Ball.
The 6-4, 175-pounder completed 21 of 25 passes, including four touchdowns, in the Hornets 42-0 win over the winless Tigers.
“Jared had a very good night, but he also forced a few throws in the second half, commented Coach Mike Chiurco. “I have a feeling he is going to threaten his own record a few more times before he is done. The offensive line did a very good job giving him time and our receivers caught everything tonight.”
Witherow threw two scoring strikes in the first quarter: a17-yarder to sophomore Rodney Smith and a 15-yard strike to junior Dylan Phillips. He teamed up with the two receivers again in the second quarter for touchdowns – Smith a 43 yarder and Phillips an 18 yarder.
Phillips caught 10 passes for 121 yards and Smith pulled in six passes for 122 yards. KJ Wafler snared four passes for 85 yards.
Sophomore Drake Hutchison scored the first points of the game on a two-yard run early in the first quarter. He ended the night with 31 rushing yards on seven carries and one catch for 30 yards.
Freshman Julius Gore closed out the scoring with an eight yard run in the fourth quarter. Ryan Runyon added the extra point kick after each touchdown.
“We played a very good first half in all aspects of the game,” Chiurco noted. “I think we got a little too content in the second half and that led to penalties and turnovers. Those types of things can’t happen.”

Witherow threw two interceptions and the host Hornets were flagged six times for 40 yards. Strasburg turned the ball over four times, twice on interceptions and twice on fumbles. Chiurco had praise for his defense as well, which held the visitors to 23 yard through the air and 65 on the ground in 20 carries.
“Defensively, we played very good as a unit and held them to under 100 yards of total offense,” he noted.
Charles Motz led the defensive effort with nine tackles and two tackles for loss. Manny Walker was credited with nine tackles and two sacks. Owen Ball and Rocco Marinucci were credited with interceptions.
“We have a huge week ahead of us as we get ready for Buckeye Trail Friday. As we keep winning, each week will get bigger and bigger,” Chiurco said.
The Hornets travel to Buckeye Trail Friday for a 7 p.m. game