By Stepheb Zitolo
The momentum shifted Flushing’s way on two plays early in the second quarter.
Thomas Jefferson held a six-point lead after one period an appeared to add to it, but a 68-yard touchdown reception was called back on a penalty. On the next play, the Orange Wave fumbled the ball and Flushing recovered. From that point on the Red Devils scored 56 unanswered points to topple vising Jefferson, 56-6, in PSAL City Conference football last Friday.
“We didn’t panic when they got that early score,” Flushing head coach Jim DeSantis said. “These guys don’t quit on each other. They always continue to fight.”
Flushing (3-2) showed that fight in all three phases of the game to turn in one of its best performances of the year, according to DeSantis. The Flushing defense and special teams combined to force five turnovers, two of which were returned for scores.
The first defensive score came from senior Keron Hermitt. He returned a fumble 46 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and Senior D’Andre Sapp also returned an interception 60 yards for the score in the third.
Offensively the Red Devils showed great balance. Senior quarterback Terrence Chavis threw for four touchdowns, including a quick slant that was lateraled between three receivers for a 29-yard touchdown that was credited to senior running back Demetrie Narcisse. He received the final pitch for the score against Jefferson (2-3).
“We worked hard in practice this week,” Narcisse said. “When we work hard in practice, things become easier on game day for us.”
The running game was strong as well. Sapp scored rushing touchdowns of 6 and 40 yards. The reason for all this success seems to be the hard work put in practice. It was all the Red Devils players could talk about post game.
“This week in practice we focused on our teamwork and unity,” Sapp said. “That helped us a lot throughout the game today.”
Even though the Red Devils have won in huge fashion the last two weeks, including a 44-0 victory over Beach Channel, they have a lot of season in front of them. Flushing faces quality opponents in New Utrecht, Kennedy and South Shore during the next three weeks.
“Coach always says the highs are never too high and the lows are never too low,” Sapp said. “That means we basically have to play balanced and never get too cocky. We just have to play Flushing football.”
