Right behind is Saturday's state quarterfinal vs. Pen Argyl, also held at the South Philly Super Site.
Overall, considering the 32-7 final score, the win wound up being logged in the comfortable category. But as the first half neared an end, the Burrs were holding just a 6-0 lead.
Then it happened . . .
Junior lineman Jaryd "Burger" Jones-Smith, all of 6-7, 285, intercepted a pass and uncorked a 28-yard return to PA's 42. The clock showed 56 seconds. A check of Reed's palms revealed no perspiration.
Pass to Ron Womack for 14 yards. Dashes by Reed for 10 and 13. Five-yard touchdown pass to Bruce Mapp. Fourteen seconds to spare.
"We were working on no-huddle stuff all week," Reed said. "You have to get to the line quick, then hike the ball fast. We did it right
"Since we were in the shotgun, we had them pretty spread out and we were much faster than them. On my scrambles, I had linebackers chasing me and I just outran them. Then, from the 5, we ran a slant/corner to Bruce and I just threw him the jump ball. He went up and got it for me."
Back in September, that pass might have wound up in the third row, or maybe between the uprights. The 6-1, 185-pound Reed, a senior, lefty and first-year starter, experienced major accuracy problems and there were those who wondered whether he'd retain his job.
Reed wasn't one of them, and that confidence served him well.
Though he hit just one of every three passes in West's first five games, his completion percentage now stands at 45. Also, he boasts 695 yards and nine TDs while his rushing skills have added 551 yards and 14 more scores.
A year ago, Reed served as Anthony Reid's backup. But you know how that goes: When the sub QB gets in, the score is usually one-sided and he serves only as a glorified handoffer.
