Part I : A Look Back at 2019 John Jay Football - Hen Hud and Brewster

John Jay Sinks Sailors 34-6

After two runs for minus seven yards to open the game on Friday Night at John Jay High School, Hen Hud Quarterback Braden Ellis hit Marcus Lenz on the run for a first down, and the game between the two 1-0 teams looked like it might be a good one. But the Sailor offense was not really heard from again until late in the third quarter, and any chance that visitors could keep up was pretty much decided on the Indians first play from scrimmage.

Max Miraglia took the hand off at the John Jay 12, turned the corner, and after a few jukes into the Hen Hud secondary, the end zone was free sailing.

The John Jay defense was quick on the turnaround, and a three and out teed up their teammates for a bit longer showcase. This put QB Luke Mercer at the fore, and a couple of screen plays to Ben Bartley Cohen and Miraglia got the Indians to midfield.

More importantly, the short, high percentage passes were game planned to help distance Mercer from the scant 15 yards passing he had in last week’s 42-21 victory over Lourdes. “We wanted to build him up early on and get him going,” said Head Coach Jimmy Clark.

Completions over the middle to Ian Gallagher and Ryan Brennan put John Jay at the 12 and Mercer was clearly standing up right. So a change of pace was in order, and faking the handoff, Mercer burst through the line to extend the lead to 14 with 3:28 left in the first.

But the confidence didn’t go to the quarterback’s head as he carried most of the offense on his heals. Touchdown runs of 47 and 54 yards helped tally 113 rushing yards for Mercer and allowed John Jay to explode to a 34-0 lead with eight minutes remaining in the half. “It felt pretty good,” said Mercer. “But I couldn’t do it without my line. They really killed it out there tonight.”

In between Miraglia added a 51 yard touchdown run to his night, and Clark welcomed the easy night. “It’s a nice win. We had a good week of practice, they executed and took care of business,” Clark concluded.

John Jay Romps Brewster 34-14

For the second straight week, the John Jay offensive juggernaut jumped out to a big lead and came home with the win on Friday night. But Head Coach Jimmy Clark made sure not to overlook the onslaught happening on defense side of the 34-14 road win over Brewster.

“We got playmakers taking up big chunks of yards, but our defense gives the offense the opportunities to succeed,” said Clark.

Jon Connolly was the first deliver. His interception at 11:06 put the Indians at midfield, and a sustained drive ended with a Luke Mercer eight yard touchdown pass to Max Miraglia.

The 7-0 lead didn’t stand long as the John Jay front four showcased a three and out swarm. The offense then took the hand off and did so on the keep.

Mercer tucked in the snap, cut through the line and raced 70 yards to the Brewster 19. Two played later, he hit Miraglia again for a 16 yard touchdown pass at 5:25.

Brewster did manage to break out on the next possession, but their drive stalled at the John Jay 27. The home team got no quarter on the change over either. Jon Connelly bumped outside on the hand off and left the Brewster chasing on a 62 yard touchdown run.

But the Bears weren’t quite ready to pack it in at 21-0. Brewster QB Chris Donohue converted a third and 14 to Jack Gusler, and a face mask on Mike Martinez’s first down run had the Bears at the John Jay 30.

The defense was not resting, though, and Jack O’Reilly picked off Donohue with 10:28 remaining in the half. “I was on the blitz and saw the halfback come out of the backfield,” said O’Reilly. “So I split off and broke for the ball.”

A face mask on the return put John Jay at the 27, and one play later, Mercer and Miraglia both pulled the hat trick. The QB hit Miraglia on the run for a 28-0 lead.

But the Indians did get a bit of their own medicine. Paul Catalano stepped in front of a Mercer screen and ran untouched into the end zone. Giving the Bears a gasp, Brewster had their first defensive stop and Donohue then moved the Bears down to the Indian 25. Unfortunately, Brewster was also up against the clock and had to settle for a missed 42 yard field goal.

Any remaining momentum ran head long into the defense that frustrated the Bears all night. “We were playing great football, and we were not going to let one play get in the way of a certain victory,” concluded O’Reilly.

Click for Slideshow : https://rmonetti.blogspot.com/2020/01/jj-football-slideshow1.html