OFFENSE ROLLS AS STANTON SNAGS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON AGAINST ZAREPHATH ACADEMY
Stanton’s seniors (photo by Tyler Pottenburgh)
FABRIZIO GOWDY | OCTOBER 30, 2020 | SPORTS
The Stanton Blue Devils football team defeated the Zarephath Academy Eagles 42-20 on Senior Night Friday, securing the Blue Devils’ first win of the season.
“It’s a big win for the seniors; they’ve worked really hard and gotten a lot better,” said Stanton offensive coordinator Rob Burnett. “For them to be able to put it on the field and make some stops and get some points, we’re very happy for them.”
Thirteen Blue Devil seniors were celebrated before kickoff. Stanton did not look like an 0-5 team in the first quarter. After forcing a three-and-out on Zarephath's opening drive, the Blue Devils scored on their opening drive. Senior running back Xavier Holden broke a pair of tackles and scored a 25-yard rushing touchdown. Stanton then surprised Zarephath with a two-point conversion out of an extra point formation, with senior running back Emmanuel Okafor receiving a shovel pass and punching it in.
Stanton got the ball inside Zarephath territory after the Eagles turned the ball over on downs for the second time in the opening quarter. With just over a minute to go in the first, Jaylen Jackson caught a pass from senior quarterback Chris McDonnell and ran it in from 34 yards out, putting the Blue Devils up 15-0.
Quarterback Chris McDonnell rolls out for a pass during the first quarter (photo by Tyler Pottenburgh)
“All the energy we had, all the seniors stepping up, it felt a little like the Paxon game last year,” said senior wide receiver Jaylen Jackson. “We’ve gotten better over the weeks and it finally showed.”
Stanton wasted no time extending their lead. Less than a minute into the second quarter, McDonnell found a wide open Jacob Mohrmonn for a 30-yard passing touchdown.
“Everyone was clicking on offense,” said McDonnell, who finished with 172 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
An Ethan Alesch interception quickly gave the Blue Devils the ball back. With eight minutes to play in the second quarter, McDonnell connected with Jackson for an 88-yard touchdown pass. Jackson was aided by a key block as he ran almost 70 yards down the left sideline.
After scoring a combined 29 points in its first five games, Stanton found itself up 29-0. However, the offense wasn't finished. A 40-yard Jacob Mohrmonn punt return set the Blue Devils up deep in Eagles territory. Xavier Holden ran it in from the eight a couple plays later, scoring his second rushing touchdown of the night.
Zarephath finally got on the board with a long touchdown return by freshman Zion Mitchell on the ensuing kickoff. The Eagles failed to convert a two-point conversion, and Stanton led 35-6 at the half.
After Stanton freshman Owen Pottenburgh recovered an onside kick to open the second half, the Blue Devils once again marched down the field. Holden capped off the drive with his third rushing touchdown of the night, this time from 20 yards out.
Xavier Holden had three touchdowns on the ground for the Blue Devils (photo by Tyler Pottenburgh)
“It was Senior Night, so we had to show out,” said Holden. “We said before the game we had to get one [win], and now we’re hoping to get two.”
Zarephath scored a short rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion midway through the third. The Eagles added another short rushing touchdown with 3:51 to play in the game, bringing the final score to 42-20 after an unsuccessful two-point conversion.
With scheduled games against Christ’s Church Academy and Joshua Christian Academy cancelled due to coronavirus outbreaks, Stanton will end its shortened season at Young Kids in Motion Academy Nov. 6. Zarephath, now 1-7, continues its season at Hilliard on Nov. 6.