The Spartans long drive to Dagsboro, quickly turned into a leisurely cruise on a late summer night. For the second week in a row Saint Mark's found themselves with a commanding lead, long before the halftime lines had started forming at the concession stand. For Indian River, a proud program with a storied history, it was a disappointing turn of events. After finishing the 2017 season at 1 - 9, they had hoped to have turned the corner. And with seven games to play, there is ample time for improvement, though it likely doesn't feel that way for the hometown faithful. For the Spartans, the 55 - 14 win afforded them another opportunity to work on their depth and build momentum. Both of which could prove invaluable when Saint Mark's goes up against tougher opponents down the road. In each of the Spartan's games so far, players have had the opportunity to step up and show they are capable if called upon. This week it was Junior Wayne Shannon. Without the services of kicker Eric Ludman, the lineman calmly nailed seven out of eight extra point attempts. The guard and defensive end had some prior kicking experience while on the JV team. However, Wayne's skills were honed on the soccer pitch at the Immaculate Conception School. Whether it's Shannon's kicking exploits, Christian Colmery's clutch catch against Newark, or Freshman Jeremiah Moore in the backfield, the Spartans are getting stronger with every passing week.
Though not in attendance, it doesn't take much imagination to know how things played out. The Spartans arrived in Dagsboro in a business frame of mind, and found themselves up against an undermanned Indian River squad. Saint Mark's struck early and often, overpowering their opponent. The Spartans took a 7 - 0 lead 4:27 into the game when Jelani Bryant connected with Blaec Sanders on a 56 yard pass. Bryant would throw his second touchdown pass of the game late in the first quarter. This time teaming up with Victor Marcelo for 32 yards. Sandwiched between the aerial assault were scoring runs by Carter Benham (35 yards) and Jeremiah Moore (10 yards). Saint Mark's fast start overwhelmed the Indians and left them trailing 28 - 0 before the first quarter had even expired. While the running clock wouldn't kick in until the beginning of the second half, the Spartans essentially started the second quarter in that mode. With some of their starters getting a breather, Saint Mark's continued to roll. They would score four more times, all on runs, pushing their lead to 55 - 0 entering intermission. Jadin Elliot (6 yards), Jeremiah Moore (18 yards), and A.J. Poppiti (1 , and 5 yards) would round out the scoring. The defense would stifle Indian River, whose scores would come long after the contest had evolved into a practice session. While not exactly challenging for the Spartans, they stayed focused on the job at hand and improved to 3 - 0. They will move on to face what looks to be a very good Archmere team next Friday at home.
Scoring Summary:
SM - Sanders 56 yard pass from Bryant (Shannon kick)
SM - Benham 35 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - J. Moore 10 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - Marcelo 32 yard pass from Bryant (Shannon kick)
SM - Elliot 6 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - J. Moore 18 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - Poppiti 1 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - Poppiti 5 yard run (kick failed)
IR - 10 yard run (kick)
IR - 4 yard run (kick)
Box Score:
SM - Sanders 56 yard pass from Bryant (Shannon kick)
SM - Benham 35 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - J. Moore 10 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - Marcelo 32 yard pass from Bryant (Shannon kick)
SM - Elliot 6 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - J. Moore 18 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - Poppiti 1 yard run (Shannon kick)
SM - Poppiti 5 yard run (kick failed)
IR - 10 yard run (kick)
IR - 4 yard run (kick)
Box Score:
(Photo credits: From the left - #1 courtesy of Dana Shannon, #2 - #4, and the sunset picture courtesy of an anonymous contributor)
Note: If you have any photos from this contest you would like added to the gallery feel free to send them to us. You can either tag them @OnTheHill_SMH on Twitter or send them by email to [email protected]. Please include how and if you would like them credited.
Note: If you have any photos from this contest you would like added to the gallery feel free to send them to us. You can either tag them @OnTheHill_SMH on Twitter or send them by email to [email protected]. Please include how and if you would like them credited.