"They don't really know what caused it, but my blood pressure was up," Rall said. "I'm on medication for it now."
Friday, Rall's BP probably spiked at least three times. That's what happens when you make clutch, exciting contributions that keep your team perfect in league play.
In beautiful sunshine, mixed with chilly winds, Rall helped SCH (still can't get comfortable typing that; CHA has merged with Springside, its cater-corner sister school) post a 28-14 win at Penn Charter.
The Blue Devils stand 4-0 in Inter-Ac play, with only next Saturday's game at ever-mighty Malvern remaining. The Friars would pull into a tie with a win today over visiting Haverford School.
Rall made each of his contributions in the final 13 minutes, following a 57-yard touchdown rumble by fullback Eric Berger that pulled PC within 21-14.
On fourth and four at PC's 36, Rall dropped back to punt . . . No, he didn't! The Quakers rushed no one and Rall scrambled 14 yards to the 22. Six plays later, there he was in the end zone, celebrating a 5-yard scoring run, accomplished on a reverse. Three plays after that, he recovered a fumble.
Quite the clutch trifecta, eh?
"I guess I liked the touchdown the best," he said, surprising no one.
The play itself? And the fact that it did produce six points? Absolutely shocking. To that juncture (9:58 remaining), star senior rusher Cedric Madden had scored 24 of SCH's 26 2011 TDs, including the first three in this one and the most recent 16.
When asked whether the Blue Devils ever kid Madden about his dominance, as in, "Hey, let us experience pay dirt [or pay turf] once in a while," Rall smiled and said, "Nah, we just watch him do his thing. And we enjoy it."
Rall was on the sideline when the coaches called for the reverse by informing quarterback Michael Hayes, who'd come to them to get it. Knowing he'd get the ball, he was pretty excited as he headed for the huddle.
