By Anthony Bosco
Farrell's star running back Jason Sullivan – injured a week earlier when the Lions beat the Royals in the regular season finale, 35-14 – played only one series. His backup, Guiseppe Aguanno, went down on the team's second possession and starting quarterback Mike Scotti also went down, separating his shoulder in the first quarter.
Still, the Lions left winners of a defensive battle for the ages, edging out the Royals in the quarterfinals of the Catholic High School Football League playoffs, 2-0. Farrell advances to take on Mount St. Michael in the semifinals Saturday at St. John's University.
The Royals began the game banged up as well, without starting quarterback Malcolm Gibson, who was injured two games ago in a clash with Holy Cross. Marcus Smith got the start for CK, but had trouble moving the ball against the Farrell defense, especially after fullback Freddie Johnson went down after just one carry.
The Lions' offense threatened first in a game when scoring threats were few. On Farrell's second possession of the game, the team drove 49 yards to the CK 17-yard line before settling for a 34-yard field goal attempt that was wide.
The Royals took over and on third-and-three but were called for clipping in the backfield, which moved the ball all the way back to the 3-yard line. On third-and-25, Smith tossed to running back Tommy Johnson, who swept left, only to be met by a wall of Farrell defenders. Johnson tried to cut back but was brought down in the end zone for the safety.
It was like that for the Royals' offense all day, only penetrating Farrell territory twice and never past the 43-yard line. Christ the King finished the day with more offensive yards, 114-92, but never came close to scoring.
The team's longest drive of the day was of seven plays for 18 yards. Christ the King was 2-for-13 on third down conversions and turned the ball over four times.
Head coach Mike Cassidy went to wide receiver Steven Shell in the fourth quarter to take over the signal-calling duties, but the switch provided no change and Smith was back under center two possessions later.
Shell intercepted a pass in the first half with Farrell threatening, having taken over in CK territory following a fumbled punt return.
Farrell threatened again in the third quarter, when Smith was picked off by Mike Boss, who returned it 23 yards to the CK 18. But Farrell gained nothing in four plays, allowing the Royals to take over on downs at their own 18.
Defensively for the Royals, both Orion Sykes and Mark Douglas stood out, leading the team to nine quarterback sacks. The 92 yards was a season-low for Farrell, which was successful just once on third down in 12 tries.
But in a game dominated by defense, all Farrell needed was a safety to win.
The Lions move on to play Mount St. Michael Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at St. John's University. The Mounties advanced after defeating Fordham Prep.
St. Francis Prep 7, Cardinal Hayes 2. The Terriers' defense blanked the Hayes offense, as quarterback Brian Forman's third quarter touchdown run of 3 yards proved the only offensive score in the game. Chris Zambrano led the way with 26 carries for 140 yards on the ground. Joe Visco's interception with a minute to play closed the lid on the victory. Prep moves on to play Holy Trinity at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. John's University.
