After defeating the Colquitt County Packers last week, the varsity football team shut out the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen of Ramsey, N.J., tonight 21-0. The game was Don Bosco’s first, so they fall to 0-1 to open the season.
Though the Ironmen opened the game strong by blocking senior Zack Thomson’s punt, both teams were at odds with each other for the majority of the first quarter. The first four possessions resulted in punts.
The Patriot offense electrified toward the end of the first quarter when senior quarterback Jason Brown blew past every Ironman defender for a 48-yard rushing touchdown. The Patriots offense was not in sync before Brown bolted to the end zone, but after they put some points on the board, the offense clicked. From there, the game was a breeze.
Senior cornerback Will Allen opened the second quarter by intercepting a pass thrown by Don Bosco senior quarterback Tommy DeVito in the end zone. On their next possession, the Ironmen had a field goal blocked again by Allen. The half ended at 7-0.
On the first drive of the second half, senior cornerback Marco Wilson did his best Will Allen impression when he picked off another one of DeVito’s passes. After junior wide receiver Anthony Schwartz’s 58-yard touchdown was called back due to a penalty, senior wide receiver Laress Nelson juked and spun past defenders on a tricky end-around, making his way to the end zone. Thomson’s extra point increased the lead to 14-0.
In the fourth quarter, the game was all over after both teams traded turnovers. On the last drive of the game, junior running back Abraham Alce sealed the last nail in the coffin with a short rushing touchdown. Alce finished with 53 yards on the ground.
The Patriots showed much more discipline in comparison to their last home game against Booker T. Washington, against whom they committed seven personal fouls. The Patriots decreased their penalties and showed the maturity they will need to be successful as the season continues.
Unfortunately, the Patriots offense was stagnant for the majority of the game with the exception of two long touchdowns. Along with Alce and Brown, junior running backs Jordan Johnson and Miles Jones also ran the ball. However, the Ironmen defensive line clobbered any Patriots that ran the line.
Overall, the Patriots displayed their improvement from their loss against Booker T. Washington in the preseason. The defensive line continually pressured DeVito, and Brown clicked with his receivers. If the team continues to play as it did tonight, then Patriots fans will have a lot in store for the rest of the season.
