By Dylan Butler
After scoring just one offensive touchdown all season, Springfield Gardens tripled its offensive production in one game as the Golden Eagles scored three touchdowns to defeat Long Island City, 18-12, Saturday.
“We scored on the first drive, which was big,” said Springfield Gardens coach Charlie Yarborough. “I think it was a carryover from the [20-14 loss] to John Adams last week. We went back to the shotgun offense and had confidence from the beginning.”
Brandon Rush (13 carries for 83 yards) and Courtney Williams (31-yard touchdown run) each scored first-half touchdowns to put Springfield Gardens (4-3) in front, 12-8, at halftime.
Rush then threw for a touchdown — a 48-yard strike to Wali Reynolds on a broken play — and led the defense in shutting down the LIC running game. Rush had a game-high 13 tackles as LIC running backs Mark Satterwhite and Ronald Whittingham combined for just 80 yards.
“He was amazing,” Yarborough said of Rush. “He keeps getting better and making big play after big play. The guys feed off of him. He’s the real deal.”
Michael Jenkins caught a 40-yard touchdown pass and Marc Perez added a rushing touchdown for LIC (3-3), which has lost three straight.
Long Island City is at Far Rockaway (4-2) Saturday at 11 a.m. Springfield Gardens hosts Bryant (2-4) in its regular season finale Saturday at noon. The Golden Eagles’ 16 seniors will be honored at halftime.
“I don’t have to stay on the guys as much, they govern themselves,” Yarborough said. “[The seniors] made my life much easier. I’m definitely going to miss them.”
John Adams 14, Boys and Girls 0. The Spartans kept their playoff hopes alive as Richard Lopez rushed for 141 yards and scored on a 40-yard touchdown reception, and Tristan Leefoon rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown for Adams (5-1).
Robert Knight led the Spartans, who host Stuyvesant (1-5) Saturday at 11 a.m., with six tackles and three sacks.
Midwood 21, Campus Magnet 19. On touchdown runs by Ian Odom and Courtney Jones, Campus Magnet jumped ahead, 12-0, but Midwood rallied to snap the Bulldogs’ four-game win streak.
Midwood (3-3) was led offensively by quarterback Eddie Guerrero (6-of-9 for 126 yards and two touchdowns) and Desean Larmond (226 yards of total offense) and defensively by Rob Fresneda, who had 13 tackles.
Campus Magnet (4-2) plays Bayside in a huge game Saturday at 1 p.m. at Jamaica High School.
Bryant 26, Erasmus 20. Almir Pupovic rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns, and Derek Grady scored on an 8-yard pass from Juan Gonzalez to break a 20-20 tie for Bryant (2-4) with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. Gonzalez also had eight tackles and one fumble recovery for the Owls.
Erasmus (1-5) was led by Tommy Anderson, who had 105 yards on seven carries, including a 66-yard touchdown.
Clinton 34, August Martin 0. Brion Thorman hit Antonio Feliciano for a 27-yard touchdown pass and added a rushing touchdown. Feliciano also returned a punt for a 57-yard touchdown and Antonio Mendez rushed for 127 yards for Clinton (2-4).
August Martin (0-7, 0-6), the only team in the PSAL without a win, has been outscored 258-48 this year. The Falcons host New Utrecht (3-3) Saturday at noon.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by email at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
