ST. GEORGES — Saint Mark’s football team took a while to get its offense going in its season opener on Sept. 6 at St. Georges, but the Spartans scored twice in the fourth quarter and continued a solid defensive performance to hold the lead on their way to a 14-12 victory.
The Hawks took a 6-0 lead midway through the second quarter, going 80 yards in 14 plays, culminating in a 2-yard run by Ayden Jones. That was it for the scoring in the half, as the defenses for both teams forced punts on almost every drive. Saint Mark’s did have two missed field-goal attempts as well.
The Spartans stopped a four-minute Hawks drive deep in Saint Mark’s territory, and that proved pivotal. Spartans quarterback James Campbell led a steady drive downfield, and he finished it by sneaking in from inside the Hawks’ 1 early in the fourth.
On their next possession, the Spartans traded small gains for a large chunk. This time, Elijah Burke motored 62 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-6.
The Hawks responded. Emory Womack, who was an offensive weapon all day, both on the ground and through the air, went in from 8 yards out. St. Georges went for the two-point conversion, but a group of Spartans led by Edward Taylor stopped the runner inside the l.
An interception gave possession back to the Hawks, who threatened to steal a win. But after reaching the Spartans’ 10, they turned the ball over on downs. Their final possession ended with a sack by the Spartans’ Andrew Bulovas.
Final statistics were not available Saturday morning. Saint Mark’s (1-0) hosts Archmere in their home opener on ept. 13 at 7 p.m. The school will be honoring the 1974 state championship team that evening. St. Georges (0-1) takes on Hodgson on Sept. 14 at Caravel.
Photos by Mike Lang.
