The Jefferson High School football team won its second game of the season behind a bone-crushing defense and a relentless offensive ground game, soundly beating High Point 28-7. The running attack of Steve Strumolo, Devyn Sanchez and John Kampas rushed for close to 200 yards.
IN SHORT The Falcons took an early lead in the first quarter when defensive lineman Andrew Willard recovered a fumble and brought it back to the High Point 20 yard line. Stumolo then rumbled eight yards into the end zone for the score.
In the second quarter, Steven Dallicardillo intercepted a pass and brought it back 30 yards for a score, putting Jefferson ahead 14-0 at the half.
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High Point came out strong in the third quarter, running right through the Falcons defense for a quick score. The offense could do nothing on their next possession and once again High Point was on the move. The game changer came when defensive lineman Lauren Sanchez sacked QB Zach Mathes for a huge loss, thus ending the High Point threat. With 19 seconds left in the third quarter, Devyn Sanchez got loose up the middle and sprinted 30 yards into the end zone.
The final score came in the fourth quarter when QB J.R. Reese crossed the goal line from the two.
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FALCON OF THE GAME Steve Strumolo, running back—Strumolo rushed for 109 yards in 27 carries. With 43 yards in the first quarter, including the first TD of the game, Strumolo had only one play for negative yardage. He was dropped for minus three yards in the fourth quarter.
TOP FALCON OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES PASSING: Reese (4-8 for 52 yards including two completions for 20 yards each) RUSHING: Strumolo (27 carries for 109 yards and one TD) D. Sanchez (a TD run of 30 yards) RECEIVING: Dallicardillo (one catch for 10 yards) Kampas (one catch for 20 yards) D. Sanchez (one catch for 20 yards)
TOP FALCON DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES TACKLING: Kampas (4 solo and 10 assists) D. Sanchez (4 solo and 6 assists) TURNOVERS: Evan Miller and Andrew Willard each recovered fumbles. Dallicardillo had an interception and runback for a TD.
THEY SAID IT “The offensive line did an amazing job of opening holes for us. Our defense were crushing people. I think Kampas was in every play on defense! It feels great going 2-0 to start the season. Going into our home opener I hope we do great things.” –Strumolo
“When the boys had to man up, they did. When they had to take over the game, when it was 14-7, they did. That’s the difference between last year and this year. Last year this wouldn’t have happened.” –Coach Joe Mattessich
UP NEXT – Mt. Olive next Friday and Jefferson High School, 7pm.
Jefferson (2-0)
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total
7 7 8 6 28
High Point (0-2)
0 0 7 0 7
