By Dylan Butler
For a young August Martin football team featuring just one returning starting senior, confidence is a major factor. On Saturday at Ralph Jones Memorial Field, the Falcons’ confidence should have been soaring, as they orchestrated a pair of 10-play first-half drives against a Sheepshead Bay team considered one of the best in the city.
But instead, the team’s psyche was flattened, as not only did they not score on either drive, but found themselves trailing 19-0 en route to a 33-6 rout.
“The fact that we didn’t put the ball in took a lot out of us,” said August Martin head coach Mike Greene. “You need veterans in 10-play drives because so many things can go wrong. You need someone who has been there and done that.”
The one player who has been there and done that for August Martin (1-3) is senior running back Anthony Pittman, who carried the ball 22 times for 50 yards, including five rushes on the opening drive, as the Falcons marched down to the Sheepshead Bay 10.
But that’s where the Falcons’ inexperience crept up and hurt them. A pair of penalties, as well as a Pittman rush for no gain and an incomplete pass by Jason Boyce pushed the Falcons back to the 26 on 4th-and-25. Boyce’s pass intended for freshman Eugene Poulson was picked off by Glenroy Watkins at the Sheepahead 10 and he ran back the interception 90 yards as Sheepshead Bay (4-0) took a 7-0 lead with 5:25 left in the first quarter.
“I just dropped back on the pass coverage and saw the ball and just ran the other way,” said Watkins, who also rushed for 77 yards on seven carries. “Last week we weren’t fundamentally sound on defense and we decided we had to do better if we wanted to do well the rest of the season.”
After the Sharks went up 13-0 with 10:20 left in the second quarter on Adeboyego Akingba’s one-yard run, Martin again put together a 10-play drive, but after a pair of incomplete passes by Boyce, Sheepshead Bay took over on downs from their 34.
Watkins shed a host of Falcons tackles on runs of 23 and 19 yards before scoring on a one-yard run as the Sharks jumped out to a 19-0 lead with 1:34 left in the first half.
“We did a lot of fundamental work, both on offense and defense,” said Sheepshead Bay head coach Fred Snyder. “I’m pleased with the fundamental work. They did what they were suppose to do.”
Martin threatened to get back in the game on the fourth play of the second half, as Shane Smith picked off Sam Garcia’s pass and ran it back for a 40-yard score to cut the Falcons deficit to 19-6 with 9:47 left in the third quarter. But the Sharks answered back as a pair of completions from Garcia to Eduardo Lindsay, setting up Garcia’s one-yard keeper. Garcia connected with Akingba in the back of the end zone for the two-point conversion as Sheepshead Bay led 27-6 with 7:13 left in the third quarter.
The Sharks sealed the game six minutes later when Boyce’s screen pass was intercepted by Cory Henderson, as the 230-pound defensive end rumbled 30-yards to put Sheepshead Bay ahead 33-6 with 1:55 left the third quarter.
“Sheepshead Bay is about the best team we’ve played and with the exception of a few mishaps, it was a very competitive game,” Greene said. “For a while we hung in there with the best and we’re going to try and hang in there with everyone else as well.”
August Martin is hoping to get some inspiration from Homecoming Day as the Falcons host Beach Channel (4-0) Sunday at 1 p.m.
Long Island City 42, John F. Kennedy 28. They are the defending PSAL champions, but in name only, as JFK has struggled mightily this season. Long Island City took advantage, capitalizing on three Kennedy turnovers en route to a 42-28 win. Lucasz Gilaerowski returned an interception for a 50-yard touchdown and running back Richard Akowuah led the charge offensively for the Bulldogs, rushing for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Corin Erby garnered 131 yards and had three touchdowns, including a 75-yard kickoff return for LIC (2-2), which plays at James Madison (3-1) Sunday at noon.
Campus Magnet 32, Springfield Gardens 0. Martin Weir had three touchdowns, Courtney Jones added a pair and quarterback Omar Edward also found the end zone in the Bulldogs’ rout. Raheim Bazile rushed for 82 yards on eight carries for Magnet (4-0). Springfield (0-4) hosts Lafayette (2-2) at Magnet Sunday at 1 p.m.
Magnet, which has outscored its opponents 111-29 this season, hosts a Bayside (0-4) team that needs to win to bolster its playoff hopes. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m.
Bryant 23, Grand Street Campus 0. Almir Pupovic rushed for 111 yards on 22 carries, including touchdown runs of 13 and six yards and Charles Kim gained 143 yards on 21 carries, including a 35-yard touchdown run to lead Bryant (2-2) to its second straight win. Defensively, the Owls were paced by Arvin Malacapy, who recorded a safety. Bryant hosts Erasmus Hall (2-2) at Flushing Memorial Field Sunday at 2 p.m.
Truman 40, John Adams 6. Daniel Jernigan was a one-man wrecking crew for host Truman Friday night, rushing for 211 yards on 16 carries, including three touchdowns. He also returned an interception for a score. Dwight Moore and Nicholas Ferguson also scored touchdowns for Truman (2-2). Adams (1-3) will host Grand Street Campus Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Spartans first home game in four years.
George Washington 26, Flushing 0. Gerard Kelly (seven tackles) and Darryl Dees (five tackles) led the Red Devils defense. Flushing (0-4) hosts Truman at Flushing Memorial Field Sunday at 11 a.m.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
