Game Summary: All he needed was a cape. Rob Russick (#99) caught a Chris Murphy touchdown pass and lead a tenacious defense as the Warriors defeated the Trojans 35-6 on Friday night in Nanticoke. The long runs by O'Brien, Popovich, and Murphy were great... The three interceptions (Eramo, Murphy, and O'Brien) were fabulous....but no one played a better game on Friday night than Rob Russick. From his defensive end position, Russick tackled Nanticoke runners behind the line of scrimmage at least three times. The Trojans came into the game with a highly touted running attack and a 3-1 record. Russick, and his compadre on the opposite site, Tim Somers--contained Nanticoke's Wing T running game all night and forced them into passing situations.
The Warrior defense took control of the game from the opening kickoff. After jumping to a 7-0 lead on a Corey Popovich touchdown, the Warriors got fooled on a nifty fake punt by the Trojans from their own 35 yard line. The Trojans drove the ball down to the Warriors 25, but the defense stiffened. That was really the extent of the Trojan offense in the first half. In the mean time, the Warriors pounded the ball on the ground on offense. Popovich at fullback ripped off some long gainers. Murphy ran the ball after faking the dive, and Nick O'Brien zigzagged his way for some big gainers. O'Brien probably could have had 100 yards on the ground in the first half if it weren't for a rash of Warrior penalties--something that this team needs to get under control.
After pounding the ball on the ground for most of the first half, with a minute to go, Eramo and O'Brien split out wide left and Russick lined up at tight end on the left side. The corner and the safety followed Eramo and O'Brien on short out-routes, which left Russick running free down the center-left side of the field. Murphy threw a perfect 32 yard dart and Russick had his first TD of the year and the Warriors led at halftime 21-0.
The defense continued to dominate in the third quarter as the Warriors increased their lead to 35-0. Solid running by Popovich, O'Brien, Murphy, and AJ Lemardy sealed the deal. Zak LaNunziata and Carmen Mauriello had some nifty runs in the fourth quarter. Nanticoke mounted a nice drive late in the fourth quarter to make the final score 35-6.
This team seems to have found its offensive identiy. Like the great Warrior teams of old--this team can run. 41 rushes for 259 yards. I wouldn't call the passing game extinct, but 2-5 for 38 yards pretty much tells you the offensive game plan. However, Murphy's TD pass to Russick is a reminder that this team can pass when it has to. It's a nice position to be in.
Give some love to the offensive linemen who have been opening those big holes. Tim Somers at center playing for the injured Nick Perugini and linemen Julian Campenni, Nick Bartoli, EJ Driving Hawk and Jake Smith--who started his first game on the line and performed admirably. And let's not forget Agent 99, Rob Russick, lined up at Tight End and is also a great blocker..
Needs Work: Looks like we need to knock the rust off of the option pitch. There were two fumbles on that play... 12 penalties for 80 yards is a recipe for losing close ball games. If the Warriors are to make a serious run at the playoffs--this problem has to be brought under control.
Nick Perugini |
