By Robert Cole
In a game that would allow one team to maintain their position among the top teams in the PSAL Bowl Conference, the Eagle Academy III football squad soared to a 28-0 victory over the Frank J. Macchiarola Sharks at Springfield Gardens Field.
Playing before a homecoming crowd that included alumni from the school’s first graduating class, the Eagles played inspired football, giving their fan a homecoming to remember. The victory introduced Eagle III, last year’s Cup Division Champs, as a factor in this year’s Bowl Conference.
“Today’s game was very important to us,” head coach Kevin Williams said. “We wanted to make sure that we kept pace with the top teams like Lehman and Bayside.”
The Eagles’ offense would break down the Sharks’ defense with their passing game early. Quarterback Dean Parham connected with wide receiver, Lamont Goodwine for a 95-yard touchdown, which gave the Eagles a 6-0 lead.
The Sharks threatened to score at the end of the half, but Parham recorded an interception on the final play of the second quarter to keep the Eagles’ 6-0 lead intact.
Quarterback Gary Newman continued his team’s hot passing in the second half.
After having a 40-yard touchdown called back due to an offensive holding call, Newman would not be deterred. He found Angel Vega open on a short route and Vega broke away from the defense for an 85-yard touchdown score. The Eagles’ converted the two-point attempt to take a 14-0 lead.
Newman connected with Vega again for his second touchdown pass of the game for a 30-yard score to increase the Eagles’ lead 22-0.
Defensively, Newman contributed to the Eagles’ final score in the fourth quarter, when he sacked the Sharks’ quarterback, which caused a fumble that was recovered by Junius Key. Following the turnover, Newman broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run to boost the Eagles’ lead to 28-0, which would prove to be the final score.
Newman recorded 115 passing yards and two touchdowns, and tallied 145 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
“I had my alumni back and it was homecoming, so I just knew I had to put on a show, get the crowd into the game and get the win,” Newman said. “A win like this shows that we bang with the big boys as we get ready for the playoffs.”
With the victory in hand, the Eagles will turn their focus to the final two games of the regular season, with hopes of making the playoffs.
OTHER SCORES
Jamaica 24, John Adams 6: Jamaica used a 16-point third quarter to earn its first win of the season, taking care of business at home against John Adams in a 24-6 victory. Jamaica took an 8-0 lead into halftime before scoring two more touchdowns in the third. John Adams put six points on the board in the fourth, but it was too little, too late as Jamaica secured the victory. Quarterback Kristoff Blackman led the Jamaica offense, completing 13 of 21 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown. Lavar Lancaster had a big day on the ground, rushing for 120 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Joseph Alvarado scored the lone touchdown for John Adams, finding the end zone on a 28-yard run.
McKee/Staten Island Tech 24, Springfield Gardens 22: A 14-point fourth quarter was not enough to complete the comeback, as the Golden Eagles fell to McKee/Staten Island in a closely contested match. The Seagulls took a 16-0 lead in the first before Springfield Gardens got on the board with eight points in the second quarter. With the Seagulls up 16-8, neither team scored in the third quarter. The Golden Eagles scored 14 points in the fourth, but the Seagulls added eight of their own to secure the 24-22 victory. Christian Judge completed three passes for 70 yards and a touchdown and Senai Haywood recorded 130 yards on the ground, including an 86-yard touchdown.
Fort Hamilton 26, Flushing Campus 18: Flushing Campus put six points on the board in each of the first, third and fourth quarters, but it wasn’t enough to defeat Fort Hamilton. Quarterback Corey Burke completed 11 of 22 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Aaron Johnson ran for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Archbishop Stepinac 28, Christ the King 7: The Royals’ struggles continued in their loss to Archbishop Stepinac. The Crusaders built a 28-0 while holding Christ the King scoreless through the first three quarters. The Royals found the end zone in the fourth quarter on a two-yard run from Tirek Murphy.
