WILMINGTON – Appoquinimink brought a noteworthy offense and an undefeated record into Abessinio Stadium on Oct. 18 for its showdown with Salesianum. But the Sals’ stingy defense largely shut down the Jaguars and captured a 21-7 victory in front of a capacity crowd.
Penn State football coach James Franklin was among the spectators who showed up for this meeting between the top two teams in Class 3A. Salesianum tamed an offense that had averaged 38 points per game in six victories.
Appo took the opening drive to the Sals’ 25, aided by 30 yards in penalties against Salesianum, before the home team’s defense slowed the Jags. Justin McGill sacked Appoquinimink quarterback Desai Drummond for an eight-yard loss on first down, and the Jaguars ended up missing a 47-yard field goal attempt.
The Sals responded with a long drive that got them deep into Appo territory. They relied primarily on the rushing of Aiden Lego (St. John the Beloved Parish) and Odell Teel, although quarterback Brady McBride (St. John the Beloved Parish) hit receiver Vernol Gary and Lego for first downs during the drive. They came up empty, however, turning the ball over on downs.
It didn’t take long for the defense to pick up the offense. On first down from their 17, a Jags running back was chased into the backfield. He fumbled, and the Sals’ Jay Burrell fell on the ball in the end zone for a 6-0 lead with 3:27 left in the first. The two-point conversion attempt was no good.
A Yaheem Smith interception gave the ball back to the Sals, but their offensive drive ended with a fumble on the Jaguars’ 1. Appoquinimink moved the ball through the air on both of their remaining first-half possessions, but each drive ended with a punt.
Salesianum took the second-half kickoff and, from their own 37, used nearly half the third quarter before adding to their lead. Teel and Lego did much of the work, with Lego carrying the ball 17 yards to the Jags’ 18. From there, the Sals moved backward. A penalty, a rush for negative yardage and a sack set them up with third down at the 35. McBride found Billy Neumann down the right side for a 30-yard gain, putting the ball at the Appo 5. It took them four rushes, but Lego got over the goal line to make it 13-0 with 6:31 left in the third.
The Jaguars got that touchdown back on the next possession. The drove 87 yards, with Drummond doing much of the damage through the air. Jahsiear Rogers, who has committed to play for Franklin at Penn State next year, had a 36-yard reception. A pass interference call on Salesianum negated an interception and put the Jags at the 14. Drummond his Dominic Montebell on the next play for a score.
Again, the Sals turned to the ground game for an answer. Their 80-yard drive after the Appo touchdown included a 10-yard run by McBride on third and 8. Jasir Gaymon carried twice for 12 yards to get the ball near midfield. Lego then carried twice and caught a pass for 11 yards. Finally, at the Jaguars’ 5, McBride faked a handoff and lofted the ball to Gaymon in the end zone. McBride converted the two-point play to make it a 14-point game.
The Sals’ defense was all over the Jaguars as they attempted a comeback. Defensive end R.J. Johnson had a big sack on one drive, as did Ryan VanKerkhoven. Appo did reach the Sals’ 20 in the closing minutes on a long pass from Drummond to Noah Hoff, but the Sals’ Mitch Cummings sealed the win with an interception in the end zone.
Lego finished with 90 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. McBride was 9 for 16 for 100 yards, along with nine carries for 50 yards. The Sals (6-1) have a tough assignment next week, playing at Middletown on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.
The Jaguars (6-1) will be home Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. against Hodgson.
