Depleted Knights lack punch in third straight loss

Holy Cross Coach Tom Pugh saw exactly what he wanted from his defense. They held the dynamic Mount St. Michael offense to just a single touchdown - and that was set up by Michael Petrellese's 29-yard punt return.
&#8220The kids came to play defense, I'm really proud of them,” Pugh said. &#8220It was like the old days.”
Unfortunately, they needed an even better effort because offensively, minus starting quarterback Dan Hussey and senior halfback Kevin Williams - their &#8220heart and soul player,” Pugh said - the Knights could never mount (no pun intended) much, punting six times and turning it over on four other occasions in a 14-0 shutout Saturday afternoon at Bayside High School.
&#8220It played a role,” linebacker Spiro Cominos (team-high 15 tackles) said of the injuries. &#8220But it's still a team game. Unfortunately we didn't put any points on the board, but we played hard. Hopefully, we get those guys back and play good next week.”
Then Williams' running mate, Tonev Abraham, came up woozy after taking a vicious hit and sat on the bench for much of the second half. &#8220We're trying to plug holes,” Pugh said. &#8220We really haven't had many [injuries]. We've been lucky. This is not good.”
With Hussey wearing slacks under his jersey, Abraham got the call under center. Pugh hoped the athletic senior could use his game-breaking speed to create. But Mount closed down all running lanes. Abraham couldn't beat them through the air - he was picked off on a poorly-thrown screen pass by outside linebacker Cavar Reid, who returned it 25 yards for a score.
In a 14-point hole, Holy Cross inserted backup Joe Reilly late in the first half, hoping Abraham could produce from his familiar spot in the backfield. To start the second half, the Knights enjoyed their best drive of the afternoon, moving to the Mount St. Michael 27-yard line after three rushes for 15 yards by Abraham (16 rushes, 67 yards) and a 17-yard sprint over the left side by junior Darryl Whiting. But after Abraham overthrew an open Tariq Tongue on a halfback option, the drive fizzled, taking any chances of a comeback with it.
After consistently breaking the 30-point barrier last season, the Knights (1-3, 0-3 CHSFL AAA) have scored just 52 in four games, barely over 10 a contest. &#8220We've been through adversity this year,” said Cominos, adding, &#8220Its football. It's a physical game. Guys are going to go down.”
Because the CHSFL AAA switched their playoff format to include all eight teams, Holy Cross is assured of a second season. By then, granted their numerous health issues are resolved, they could be the kind of dangerous team - on both sides of the ball - many expected. &#8220We're okay, we're not panicking,” Pugh said. &#8220Get healthy and get ready for the playoffs - that's what we are going to do.”