Widener University - Coming off a big win in California, the Hawks looked to start the season 2-0 against the NJ football powerhouse, Don Bosco Prep. In years past the Hawks have struggled tremendously against the Ironmen, they had an all-time record of 0-5 coming into the game. This was a big game for both head coaches. Ironmen head coach Greg Toal was going for his 300th win, while Hawks head coach, Gabe Infante, wanted to bring home a win for the crimson and grey in their home opener.
After the Hawks start to the season, they rose in the MaxPreps rankings to No. 16, while the Ironmen fell to No. 29 after a 21-0 loss to American Heritage. While The Prep was ranked higher than Don Bosco, many of the Hawk’s players discussed how this game would be a battle on both sides of the ball. In addition to this, they all knew the outcome against the Ironmen in years past. With this in the back of their mind, the Hawks came out in their new stadium, and put on a promising performance that the Hawks are primed for another State Championship run.
photo courtesy of St. Joe's Prep Football Facebook
The Hawks started much like they did against the Oaks Christian School in California. D’Andre Swift took the opening kickoff and set up The Prep right at midfield for junior Marquez McCray to takeover and lead them down the field where Swift punched it into the endzone for a TD to give the Hawks an early lead. The bigger story on this drive took place for the Ironmen, when the Boston College commit, Marcus Valdez, went down with a lower body injury and never returned.
As the quarter progressed, the Ironmen got on the board with just 1:54 left in the first quarter to make it a 14-7 game. However, with that time left the Hawks would march down the field and take a 20-7 lead after a failed extra point, but left 19.8 seconds on the clock. With this time Wankeith Akin Jr. would take the kickoff to the endzone to make it a 20-14 game at the end of the first.
The scoring would slow down in the second quarter where The Prep would only score on a 39-yard quarterback scramble by Marquez McCray and a successful two-point conversion to go up 28-14. Prior to that touchdown, Don Bosco was able to march down the field and put three on the board. At the end of the half the Hawks led 28-17.
photo courtesy of St. Joe's Prep Football Facebook
Into the second half, the Ironmen would keep the Hawks lead in check, but The Prep’s offense continued to put points on the board. Anthony Leneghan, a freshman, was able to get the Hawks to the 35 point mark. Don Bosco had a tough road ahead of them trying to come back down 35-17 with 4:20 left in the third quarter. They responded with a touchdown with just under ten minutes left in the game to make it an 11 point game. The Hawks defense was able to secure their lead, led by Richard Carr’s standout performance. The Hawks sealed the game when head coach Gabe Infante decided to ice the kicker not once, but twice with just under two minutes to play. When the field goal was no good, the stadium erupted. Coach Infante ran about 40 yards down the field in celebration, the sideline was jumping up and down, and the crowd was louder than ever. The Prep finally was able to walk away with a victory against the North Jersey powerhouse, Don Bosco Prep. FINAL 35-24.
Stats Recap: QB McCray 15-19, 171-yards passing, 9 rushes 68 yards; RB Swift 9 Carries 78-yards rushing, 2 touchdowns rushing.
Up Next: The Hawks will take on their first Catholic League opponent and in-state rival Archbishop Wood TONIGHT at 7:30 at William Tennent High School. If you can’t make it to the game or want to listen make sure to tune in here: www.blogtalkradio.com/WSJP