WIDENER UNIVERSITY - Coming off a signature victory over Archbishop Wood the previous week, St. Joseph’s Prep could be excused if they took their next opponent lightly.
Archbishop Carroll would have no such luck.
Ignited by a torrid defense and a dominant offense, the Hawks defeated the Catholic League Red Division Patriots by a misleadingly close 42-6, Saturday night at Widener University. Ahead 35-0 at halftime, the Prep inserted substitutes over the final two quarters that were played by the mercy rule’s running clock.
SJP vs. Carroll game & fan photos (27 Photos)
“We approach every opponent the same,” said junior defensive end Jake Feehery. “Try to be consistent. Never take a play off. Take everything as a next step.”
The Hawks (4-0 overall, 2-0 league) led 21-0 after one quarter on two touchdown runs by senior Khari Jones and a 29-yard scoring pass from junior quarterback Marquez McCray to senior Jack Crossed. McCray fired a 34-yard TD pass to senior Richard Carr to open the second quarter and senior Christian Waller bounced into the end zone from four yards out.
A four-yard scoring run by sophomore Marques Mason finished the scoring for the Prep. Carroll (0-2, 0-5) broke the shutout bid when senior Stephen Honick connected with junior Ryan Graham from the 10-yard line.
“Every week is a chance to work on something,” said junior Zach Snider. “We are always working to get better. We don’t take any team lightly, whether it’s the best team in the country or the worst team in the country. We try to keep the intensity up.”
From the sidelines, the Prep starters continued to exhort the younger players to maximize their opportunity despite owning a huge lead.
“One thing we say here is that we don’t rebuild, we reload,” said Princeton University-bound senior linebacker James Johnson. “We have expectations that everyone should be making plays, whether or not you’re a starter or (a deep reserve). You have to respect your opponent and you have to respect your teammates by giving your best on every play.”
Khari Jones made the most of his opportunity
The aforementioned Jones, substituting for injured franchise-back D’Andre Swift, has dealt with several nagging ailments himself this year.
“Me getting my confidence back,” said Jones, explaining his two touchdowns and 67 yards on six carries. “Everybody gets an opportunity and makes the most of it.”
Marques Mason provides the Prep's final touchdown
The Prep’s standout on defense was linebacker Myles Talley.
“I always have a chip on my shoulder,” said Talley. “Attack, attack, attack. Ball in the air, in somebody’s hands, I go for it. Make smart plays and make smart tackles.”
Talley said his style perfectly fits the Prep’s mentality.
“You don’t take your foot off the pedal,” said Talley. “Keep going. Can’t take a team lightly. We always have a game plan for a team. We just stop it.”
The Hawks squashed the Patriots’ rushing attack to the tune of minus-15 yards. Carroll’s Honick completed 15 of 26 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. For the Hawks, in addition to Jones’ gaudy numbers, Waller collected 138 yards on 10 carries while Mason added 64 more on 7. McCray was 9 of 15 for 136 yards and two scores. Freshman quarterback CJ Duell’s career-first varsity experience went well (3 for 5, 48 yards).
It was just that kind of a night for the Prep.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com or on twitter @johnknebels.)