St. Mary 28 Pompton Lakes 0
October 12, 2024
St. Mary beat Pompton Lakes, 28-0, in a game they were in control most of the way. They scored 14 points in each half and their defense had a shutout.
First Quarter: Neither team sustained any offense and the only big play was a 24-yard pass from Brad Higgins to Thomas Messina that brought the ball to the 50. It wasn’t until the last two minutes of the quarter that Pompton Lakes was moving the ball on their second possession. Vincenzo Stigliano returned a St. Mary punt past midfield to the 43. Antonio DeMartinis struck immediately with a 15-yard run to the 28. DeMartinis ran 11 yards to the 12 two plays later. But a fourth-and-2 pass fell incomplete, giving the ball to St. Mary one minute into the second quarter.
Second Quarter: St. Mary took over on their 4 and Nasir Owens broke through a hole and went 10 yards to the 14. On third down on their 9, Owens had consecutive runs of 12, 12, 11, 6, 7, and 8 yards to bring the ball to the Pompton 35 for a second-and-2. At that point, Higgins connected with Messina again for a 35-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Gael lead. Pompton Lakes had good field position on their 47, but a sack brought the ball back to the 40, followed by an interception by Messina giving St. Mary the ball on their 38. After a pass interference penalty advanced the ball to the Pompton 47, Owens broke through the line for a 47-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 3:38 left. On the next possession, Angel St. Jean had a sack for St. Mary that lost 10 yards for Pompton and they were forced to punt.
Third Quarter: Pompton Lakes came out with the ball, which began on their 45, faced with a fourth-and-1, and decided to go for it. The fourth down pass was incomplete and St. Mary had the ball on their 46. The Gaels had a fourth down themselves, went for it, and completed a pass to Kazir White for 8 yards and a first down. They faced another fourth down and Higgins kept the ball for a first down on the 15. Two plays later, Damion Merkerson crashed in for a 3-yard touchdown.
Fourth Quarter: The Gaels added to the lead when Higgins found Jonathan Huertas who ran the rest of the way for a 28-yard touchdown and a 28-0 lead one minute into the quarter. The rest of the game had many penalties and the game bogged down.
Comments: St. Mary was never in any danger of losing this game. If anything, the score could have been 42-0. The Gaels had three touchdowns called back on penalties in the second half that weren’t on drives where they scored. Owens rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. The defense pitched a shutout. They committed their fair share of penalties that must be reduced in the next two weeks; otherwise, it could cost them.
Pompton Lakes was outmatched, but they had their moments. They had a chance to go in front early in the second quarter. The fact they didn’t score hurt them because they had no margin for error. St. Mary wore them down and had a few players injured. Hopefully, they will be OK and be able to help them in the coming weeks.