By Jacob Schneider
After a devastating triple-overtime loss in Week 1, the Long Island City Bulldogs rebounded Saturday to earn their first win of the season.
The host Bulldogs defeated the Alfred E. Smith High School Warriors 30-20 with a strong running game and a stout defense.
Running back Austin Campbell fumbled on Long Island City’s first possession after the Bulldogs picked up two first downs. The turnover led to six points for the Warriors, but the visitors were unable to convert on the two-point attempt.
Campbell and the offense rebounded on their second drive, marching right down the field for a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Chris Miraba to senior wide receiver Jarius Jones. Long Island City completed the two-point attempt to take an 8-6 lead.
After falling behind 14-8, the Bulldogs special teams came through with a blocked punt, setting up the offense inside the Smith 30-yard line. Two plays later, Campbell ran it in from a yard out, and caught the subsequent two-point conversion to give Long Island City a 16-14 lead that was never relinquished.
“We started the game off all right,” Jones said. “We came together, communicated and we turned our bad plays into success.”
Jones added another touchdown reception and had a game-clinching interception in the fourth quarter.
Senior middle linebacker Dennis Jakubauskas led the Bulldogs on defense, flying around the ball and recording an interception.
Quarterback Chris Miraba kept the offense in control most of the game, adding a rushing touchdown to go with his two passing scores to Jones.
Despite the touchdowns, head coach Joseph Haughton wasn’t all that pleased with the passing attack.
“We need some better reads by our quarterback,” Haughton said.
Miraba was let down by multiple drops from his receivers.
Haughton looks for the team to continue moving towards their goals for the rest of the season and improving.
“We’re looking to get better next week,” Haughton said.
OTHER SCORES
Springfield Gardens 20, John Adams 0: The Golden Eagles used a strong first half to defeat the Spartans and improve to 3-0 on the season. Springfield Gardens scored seven points in the first quarter and added 13 more in the second half to take a 20-0 lead that would stand as the final score.
Senai Haywood rushed four times for 105 yards and two touchdowns, including his game-best 79-yard dash. Quarterback Christian Judge also rushed for a touchdown. Jamal Songui stood out on defense with two interceptions, while Joshua Alphonso added one of his own.
The Golden Eagles’ defense was flying around the ball and hitting hard, forcing the Spartans to fumble the ball away four times.
Automotive High School 36, William C. Bryant 8: The Owls fell behind early and had trouble moving the ball on offense against the Pistons, who scored 16 points in the first quarter and took a 22-0 lead into the half.
The Owls’ deficit grew to 30-0 in the fourth quarter. They were able to punch in a score in the fourth, but fell to 0-2 on the season.
Nicolas Vallejo completed two of six passes for 24 yards and connected with Emir Ramusevic for a 20-yard touchdown, the Owls’ lone score of the day. Ryan Sebro added 61 yards on the ground with 15 carries.
Cardinal Hayes 38, Christ the King 13
Campus Magnet 35, Grand Street Campus 15
Tottenville 35, Flushing Campus 7.
