The Cherry Hill East Varsity football team lost its bragging rights Thursday in the annual Thanksgiving Homecoming game versus the Cherry Hill West Lions. The score was 32-29.



On the Cougars’ opening drive Mike Drake (‘07) advanced the ball on the ground leading up to a quick touchdown only a few minutes into the game. Pat Daniels (‘08) kicked the point-after through the uprights to give East a 7-0 lead. On their ensuing possession Kevin Giunta (‘07) caught a 15 yard reception amidst tight West coverage and East carried the ball down field. This led to an unsuccessful 30 yard field goal attempt by the Cougars.



The first quarter was clearly dominated by East and everything seemed to be going in the Cougars’ favor, until the Lions’ scored early in the second quarter. West was unsuccessful on their point after attempt and East still held onto the lead 7-6. However, shortly thereafter West got the ball back and scored again and took the lead, 12-7. On the next play, Mo Alkiyal (‘07) returned West’s kick for 35 yards, but East’s celebration was short lived after West intercepted the ball on the same possession. Once again, West ran the ball into the endzone, which brought the score to 18-7 at the half, after West was unsuccessful on their two-point conversion attempt.



In the second half the Cougars tried to stop West’s offense. Ultimately, the team let up another touchdown. However, on East’s next possession Giunta carried the ball into the endzone and after a successful two-point conversion, the Cougars narrowed the lead to ten points, 25-15.



When it seemed as if East had finally captured some momentum of their own, West scored, once more, and the score was 32-15.



In an exciting turn of events, East was able to narrow the lead significantly. Drake carried the ball ten-yards for a touchdown and the Cougars made it a two possession game. With only a few minutes left on the game clock, Daniels attempted an onside kick and East was able to pull the ball in and recover.



Knowing they needed to score, Giunta took the game into his own hands and scrambled for a first down on third and six. After a series of completed passes East was in the red zone, and decided to go for the touchdown on fourth and goal. Giunta carried the ball across the goal line and suddenly East was only down by three points with under three minutes left in the game.



Daniels attempted the onside kick again, but this time East was unable to recover the football and time expired before the Cougars had the opportunity to tie the game.



Claron Johnson ('06) scored all five of West’s touchdowns.