Game 3
Lions lose to NJ Powerhouse Delbarton 28 - 0
Farrell moves to 1-2 in non-league play. The Lions begin the CHSFL AAA schedule on Friday, September 20th, when they host St. Anthony's at 6pm.
LB Mike Insalaco (#34) wraps up Delbarton QB Jadon Prinzivalli (#12) (Staten Island Advance/Annie DeBiase)
By Charlie De Biase Jr. | debiase@siadvance.com
Monsignor Farrell learned that football is, indeed, also a game of inches.
The Lions, who went punch-for-punch with perennial powerhouse Delbarton for a half, were denied momentum-changing scores when they were twice stopped on goal-line stands inside the 1 and could do little to stop dynamo running back Brock Dandridge (179 yards rushing, 4 TDs) during a 28-0 non-league loss to the visiting Green Wave in Oakwood on Friday.
Farrell, which received a 122-yard rushing effort from senior running back Nafis Muhammad, dropped its second straight since opening the season with a 34-30 home victory over Rhode Island’s Bishop Hendricken two weeks ago.
RB Nafis Muhammad (#21) rushed for 122 yards against Delbarton (Staten Island Advance/Annie DeBiase)
That’s the bad news.
The good news is, head coach Rocco Del Priore’s squad opens CHSFL play at home this Friday when St. Anthony’s comes to town and although the Friars obviously won’t be a picnic, Farrell’s non-league schedule should have it ready for league play.
Del Priore couldn’t say enough about Delbarton, New Jersey’s No. 4-ranked team, according to Maxpreps.com. The Morristown, N.J., school improved to 2-1 overall after bouncing back nicely after suffering its first loss of the season a week ago (27-17 to Malvern Prep).
“(Delbarton) was everything I thought they were — well coached, physical, tough, sound on defense and they don’t turn the ball over. Something we’re trying to become,’' said Del Priore, whose team committed four turnovers, including one in the final seconds of the first half and three after halftime. “If we want to win in November, we’ve got to (do those things).
“And I believe we will.’'
The Lions did an admirable job neutralizing the Green Wave’s offense early, thanks, in part, to linebackers Michael Picciano (sack) and Joseph Giovanelli (TFL). Delbarton kicker Williams Kramer lined up for field goal attempts of 35 and 22 yards, but missed both — the second because Kevin Gumb got a hand on the ball.
WR Alex Ustun's (#18) would-be TD reception from QB Ryan Walsh was ruled out of bounds (Staten Island Advance/Annie DeBiase)
Delbarton would eventually put together an 11-play, 98-yard drive that ended with Dandridge taking a short pass from quarterback Jadon Prinzivalli in the right flat, then rambling 24 yards to pay dirt for the lead with 5:03 left in the half. Kramer’s extra point made it 7-0.
But before and after Delbarton’s lone first-half scoring drive, the Lions squandered golden opportunities to find the end zone themselves. Just prior to Delbarton’s scoring drive, Farrell had a third-and-goal from inside the 1 when linebacker Kyle Checcio made a tackle for a 1-yard loss. Del Priore opted to go for it on fourth down and Alex Ustun hauled in pass from QB Ryan Walsh near the right back corner of the end zone, but, despite a valiant effort, the wide receiver couldn’t keep both feet in bounds.
“Farrell played us really tough. Their kids are very well coached and they had a really good game plan."
- Delbarton Head Coach Brian Bowers
“I trusted our offense and I like the way we moved the ball on that drive. We had an 11-play drive and we wanted to finish with seven,’' explained the coach. “We just felt we weren’t going to beat Delbarton kicking field goals. You’re not going to beat the No. 4-ranked team in New Jersey going for threes.
“We got to punch it in from the 2 or we don’t deserve to win.’'
Then later, Ustun picked off Prinzivalli to give the Lions a first down on the Delbarton 25 with about 2:00 to play. An 11-yard reception from frosh Braxton Moye and a 9-yard run from Muhammad helped set up a first-and-goal from the 1 with under 30 ticks remaining.
However, a fumble was recovered by Delbarton defensive end Joe Tulli and the visitors took a 7-0 lead into the lockers.
“It’s tough not coming away with points,’' admitted Del Priore. “It’s a different feeling going into the half tied 7-7 instead of being down 7-0.’'
“Farrell played us really tough. Their kids are very well coached and they had a really good game plan and were able to establish the run, which is what I knew they wanted to do, and they did, really. They ran the ball for a lot of yards,’' praised Delbarton head coach Brian Bowers. “I’m proud of our kids because, in the red zone, we buckled down and we were able to make some plays and keep them out of the end zone.
Alex Ustun (#18), Joe Giovanelli (#5), and Mike Picciano (#49) close in on Delbarton RB Brock Danridge (Staten Island Advance/Annie DeBiase)
The Green Wave got the ball to start the second half and immediately marched 48 yards to pay dirt. Girard Yoo’s 18-yard reception over the middle and Dandridge’s 13-yard run helped set up the latter’s 1-yard TD run to help make it 14-0.
After Delbarton’s Troy Bailey picked off a pass on the next possession, Bowers’ team responded with a 6-play, 38-yard drive that ended with Dandridge’s 5-yard TD run that gave the visitors a 21-0 advantage heading into the final period.
Dandridge then completed his huge game with a 44-yard TD scamper early in the final period to provide the final score.