Turnovers Doom Terriers – In first place showdown, miscues the difference for SFP

St. Francis Prep reeled off five straight league wins this year on the back of a stingy defense, ball control offense and an aggressive approach of taking advantage of their opponent's miscues. But against their toughest divisional opponent to date, their own mistakes did them in.
The Terriers turned the ball over four times, twice deep in their own end, and fell short in their first place showdown with Fordham Prep, 13-9, Sunday afternoon at St. John's University's DaSilva Field, their first loss to a CHSFL AA opponent since 2004. Ray Sheehan was picked off twice, the latter interception leading to the go-ahead touchdown, and Keith Ferrara, victimized on the game-winning score, also coughed up the pigskin twice, including once after his own fourth-quarter interception in the secondary. &#8220It killed us,” Sheehan said of the turnovers.
&#8220It's always disappointing when you play your best and don't win,” St. Francis Prep Coach Vincent O'Connor said in the somber locker room. &#8220That's one of the great frustrations in sports. … We played our best, but we made too many errors to win.”
The afternoon began well, Sheehan finding Daniel Perry from 19 yards out. But the Rams and their high-octane offense quickly demonstrated they were unlike any team St. Francis Prep had seen to date. They marched down the field in the second quarter, getting the equalizing score on a five-play, 59-yard-drive, capped by Sean McVicker's 18-yard scoring strike to Luke Malone in the back of the end zone.
The Terriers led 9-6 at halftime on the strength of Rory Creegan's booming 43-yard field goal. But in the third quarter, the turnovers came on successive drives. First, Ferrara fumbled at the Terrier 15-yard-line. St. Francis Prep, however, held firm, forcing a turnover on downs; the Rams actually lost four yards during the series.
St. Francis gave it right back, though, Sheehan forcing the ball over the middle on a rollout, right into the waiting arms of Charles O'Connor. This time, Fordham Prep took advantage. On the ensuing play, McVicker found Peter LaMacchia in the right corner of the end zone, lofting a perfectly placed ball over Ferrara's outstretched arms for the eventual game-winner. &#8220In tight games like this, it's all about momentum,” McVicker said. &#8220[That play] helped not only our offense's confidence but our defense's as well.”
The penalty-plagued Terriers were unable to sustain many drives in the second half, and when Ferrara picked off McVicker but fumbled looking to make a play, the Rams (6-1, 6-0, CHSFL AA) chewed out even more of the clock. &#8220I saw the open field, tried to cut it back,” Ferrara said, &#8220but the guy came from behind [and stripped the ball].”
The Terriers (5-2, 5-1, CHSFL AA) did regain possession with 4:04 remaining after a missed 27-yard field goal attempt. Buoyed by the kicking error, the Terriers drove to the Fordham 16 - keyed by Sheehan's 35-yard heave to Rory Creegan on 4th and 14. The drive would eventually stall - one backwards lateral and a pair of incomplete passes ending the hopeful possession - capping the regrettable afternoon. &#8220It's tough,” Sheehan said. &#8220But we got to bounce back. We can't feel bad for ourselves.”
Ferrara expects to get another shot at Fordham Prep. &#8220We'll definitely see them in the playoffs and it's going to be a different result,” he predicted. &#8220We're going to beat them next time. In my opinion, we are better than they are. We just didn't capitalize on certain opportunities.”