Senior QB Coons leads PE to 7-6 victory over Cavanaugh
By HEATHER VAN HOEGARDEN
Sports Writer
Senior quarterback Abbey Coons led Pasquerilla East out of the tunnel on Sunday and then led her team to victory on the field.
Coons was 13-of-23 passing for 135 yards and a touchdown to lead the Pyros over the Chaos 7-6 in an exciting interhall finale Sunday that went down to the wire.
PE's only touchdown was scored by Kathryn Lent in the first half, who made an outstanding grab of a pass that was batted around in the end zone. Leslie Follmer caught the extra point.
"It was a play that was drawn out very well," Coons said. "I had great protection from our offensive line, and I was waiting for something to open up. Kathryn slipped behind the defense, and luckily she caught it."
It took more than luck to beat a Cavanaugh team that didn't give up after the first half touchdown. And after halftime, the rejuvenated Chaos came out firing in the second half.
When a Coons pass intended for Follmer was picked off in the end zone, Cavanaugh gained the momentum and the window of opportunity they had been waiting for.
After a completions by Meg Myers to Jenny Nokes and Melissa Marcotte, the Chaos drove down the field. A 40-yard reverse by Lisa Ruffer set up and 11-yard touchdown pass by Meyers to Laurie Hohberger with 45 seconds remaining.
But the extra point pass was knocked down and PE ran out the clock to claim the championship. Coons and the Pyros were joined in celebration by a sea of red that chanted "I love Abbey" after the game.
"I couldn't ask for anything more as a senior," an elated Coons said. "Our team probably had the most fun of every team, and we won. It was a great season, with great coaches."
Coons wasn't the only senior quarterback that played exceptionally well. For Cavanaugh, Meyers was 10-of-18 for 132 yards with one touchdown.
For the Pyros, Kristin Marcuccilli caught three passes for 26 yards, and center Allison Ferber was on the receiving end of two passes as well.
She, like Coons, played both ways as quarterback and defensive back. In a game where the star players negated each other's performances, the story was of the role players who came up big in the end.
"We were probably the last team people would have thought would win, but we did it," Coons said. "We've just grown so much this year."
All Sports Stories for Monday, November 25, 2002
