April 29, 2007

The Sacred Heart football team held its annual Red & White Spring Game Saturday afternoon with the offense scoring three times through the air and twice on the ground. The "Red" offense put up 61 points in the modified scoring system to out pace the "White" defensive unit's 51 points.

"I thought we played very hard all spring but its tough to gauge your progress sometimes when you are going against yourself for this long," commented head coach Paul Gorham. "I thought our attitude was outstanding and we really raised the competitive level of our play. Some of our younger guys stepped up and made plays and showed they are going to be playmakers in this league (NEC)."

The offense unit used an effective ground attack featuring running backs Jason Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY) and Evin Jones (Pennsauken, NJ), last season's leading rushers. Payne finished with 53 yards on seven carries including a six yard plunge up the middle for six in the second half. Payne also had five catches out of the backfield for 47 yards, with 32 coming on a second half swing pass.

"I thought Jason and Evin ran hard and did a good job making the plays we expect them too."

Jones had the bulk of the carries on the afternoon, piling up 54 yards on 15 touches. Jonathan Gibbons (Feeding Hills, MA) rattled off 20 yards on eight carries while Ed Gurrieri (Manalapan, NJ) ran for 34 yards including a 19 yard scamper to open the game's scoring.

Gurrieri took a handoff off left tackle but cut back and caught a block from quarterback Brian Powell (New Brunswick, NJ) that sprung the play up the right sideline for six. Gurrieri lone catch of the game resulted in another score as he pulled down a tipped ball from Powell in the end zone.

The Pioneers need to replace two-year starter Tyler Arciaga at quarterback with Powell and Dale Fink (Swansea, IL) splitting the time Saturday afternoon. Fink did an excellent job in his time, completing 13 of 19 passes for two touchdowns and an interception. Powell finished 10 of 19 with the one touchdown throw to Gurrieri. Both showed good movement throwing on the run and moving inside the pocket.

Fink hooked up with his receivers for a pair of first half TD's. Fink and Corey Bundy (Selden, NY) hooked up in the first quarter on an 18-yard play action pass to the right corner. Fink scrambled to find Dave Mandler (New Canaan, CT) at the front right pylon on a 17-yard pass play in the second stanza.

"He (Fink) made some plays, especially with his feet, buying some time and getting the ball down field," stated the head coach. "That will put extra pressure on a defense."

Defensively, the Pioneers scored on a broken swing pass to Payne when Ron Fulton (Orchard Park, NY) picked-up the fumble and scampered in from 25 yards out for six. Robert Occhiuzzi (Red Bank, NJ) had an interception to mark the other defensive turnover.

Josh Thomas (Hartford, CT) picked up one and a half sacks from his defensive back position while Chansler Davis (Islip Terrace, NY) picked up a sack and a half as well. Bill Hayden (Milford, PA) also recorded a sack on defense.

"I thought our two linebackers, Rich Marrone (East Brooklyn, NY) and Andrew Clayton (Egg Harbor Township, NY) did an outstanding job today, especially having to play on both the first and second teams because of injuries," said Gorham. "Josh Thomas and Rashod Underwood (Baltimore, MD) played very well as younger players."

Spring Game Scoring System Offense - Toudown - 6 pts; PAT - 1 pt; Field Goal 3 pts; First Down - 1 pt; 15+ yard run - 2 pts; 25+ yard pass - 2 pts

Defense - Turnover - 5 pts; Sack - 3 pts; Defensive stop (punt, failed 4th down) - 1 pt; 3 and out - 3 pts; Touchdown - 6 pts