Before the year began, John Adams Coach Gerry Weitzen predicted a perfect 10-0 season. So far, he is right on the money.
In their first year in the Cup Division, the PSAL’s lowest level, the Spartans are rolling. After rocking Stuyvesant to start the season, they took apart McKee/Staten Island Tech, 50-27. “We could’ve scored 70,” Weitzen joked.
After winning just once the last two years in the Bowl Division, Adams moved down. “I figured this is silly already,” Weitzen said.
The Spartans are no laughing matter this season. Last Saturday, quarterback Luis Cerna completed 9-of-12 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown pass to Christopher Berrios. On the ground is where the Spartans did the most damage. They produced 250 yards rushing. Halfback Kevin Patterson rushed for three scores and 130 yards, senior Darren Baker added 102 yards, and Christopher McLaren found pay dirt, too. McLaren and Joseph Brown also each returned an interception for a score in the rout.
“The kids have more confidence,” Weitzen said. “One kid told me: ‘I’ve been here three years. In two years we won one game and now we’ve won two games in two weeks.’ When you persevere, good things happen,” the coach proclaimed.
“Of course, we’re at a lower level, but the idea for the program, the kids and my piece of mind, is to win some games. We’re not world-beaters, but I think we’re the best team in this division. The kids now want to come to practice. I have almost 40 kids on the roster. Last year we had 22.”
Campus Magnet improved to 2-0 without playing a game as the result of George Washington forfeiting their season. The Bulldogs will meet August Martin in a battle of unbeatens next week. The Falcons improved to 2-0 courtesy of their 20-6 win over Tilden. Murphy White ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns, Andrew Richards returned a fumble for a score and linebacker Thomas Greyer registered a team-high 13 tackles.
Elsewhere, Bayside got first-year coach Jason Levitt his first win with a 24-21 win over DeWitt Clinton. Kimbal Pogson caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jon Zorbas, Eugene Jordan ran one in from 30 yards out and Jeffrey Celand returned a fumble for a score.
Jamaica fell to South Shore, 26-20, in overtime, and William Bryant (2-0) blanked Springfield Gardens (1-1), 25-0, behind three rushing touchdowns from senior Darro Clarke.
Last year’s Cup Division champion, Long Island City, dropped to 0-2 after falling to Grady, 42-29. Quarterback Christian Delvento threw for 309 yards and four touchdown passes, including two to Mark Taylor.
