Spartans Drive Past Newark
Win Season Opener 27 - 6
After the first half, which was typical of an opening game, with miscues, penalties, and turnovers, St. Mark's held a slim 6 - 0 lead on a short run by Ian Noonan. The Spartans would take control of the game, starting with their initial possession after the intermission. Andrew Watkins 6 yard run finished off a 63 yard drive, that energized St. Mark's, and took some wind out of the Yellow Jacket's sails. They would follow that up, a little over five minutes later, when Jelani Bryant hooked up with Matthew McGuirk on a 27 yard scoring strike. Down 20 - 0, Newark seemed rattled, and the game well in hand for St. Mark's. The teams traded touchdowns to round out the scoring with Ian Noonan notching his second of the evening, while the Yellow Jacket's Joe Hodges ended the Spartan's shutout bid with 28 seconds to play, on a QB keeper.
The Spartan offense produced 283 total yards, 174 on the ground and 109 through the air. Andrew Watkins led the Spartan rushers with 126 yards on 16 carries. Jelani Bryant threw for 109 yards on 12 attempts, spreading the ball around to 6 different players. Victor Marcello led the receivers with 2 receptions for 34 yards. The defense was a team effort with 22 players getting in on the action led by Matthew McGuirk, Nick Pisorchik, and Will Hoffman, each with 7 tackles. They limited Newark to 1 first down and 18 yards total offense, causing 2 turnovers, a fumble and an interception on a acrobatic grab by Matthew Tynes. Special teams blocked a punt, while Eric Ludman had a strong game kicking and punting, after missing his initial extra point attempt. The Spartans only had 1 turnover, but it was costly, when they fumbled into the end zone for a touch back, on their opening possession.
The Spartan offense produced 283 total yards, 174 on the ground and 109 through the air. Andrew Watkins led the Spartan rushers with 126 yards on 16 carries. Jelani Bryant threw for 109 yards on 12 attempts, spreading the ball around to 6 different players. Victor Marcello led the receivers with 2 receptions for 34 yards. The defense was a team effort with 22 players getting in on the action led by Matthew McGuirk, Nick Pisorchik, and Will Hoffman, each with 7 tackles. They limited Newark to 1 first down and 18 yards total offense, causing 2 turnovers, a fumble and an interception on a acrobatic grab by Matthew Tynes. Special teams blocked a punt, while Eric Ludman had a strong game kicking and punting, after missing his initial extra point attempt. The Spartans only had 1 turnover, but it was costly, when they fumbled into the end zone for a touch back, on their opening possession.
Scoring Summary:
SM - Noonan 1 yard run (kick failed)
SM - Watkins 6 yard run (Ludman kick)
SM - McGuirk 27 yard pass from Bryant (Ludman kick)
SM - Noonan 3 yard run (Ludman kick)
N - Hodges 11 yard run (kick failed)
SM - Noonan 1 yard run (kick failed)
SM - Watkins 6 yard run (Ludman kick)
SM - McGuirk 27 yard pass from Bryant (Ludman kick)
SM - Noonan 3 yard run (Ludman kick)
N - Hodges 11 yard run (kick failed)
Box Score:
Team |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
Newark |
000 |
000 |
000 |
6 |
6 |
St. Mark's |
6 |
000 |
14 |
7 |
27 |