The 2007 Xavier Knights improved their overall record to (5-1, 4-1) with a 49-28 win over Christ the King this past Friday night 10/12/07 at St. John’s University. The team was lead to victory by an amazing effort by 4B James Kowalski who had 315 all purpose yards (rushed for 100 yards, received for 80 yards, returned punts and kickoffs for 165 yards while scoring four touchdowns in the 1^st half with three scores in the 1^st quarter alone.

Jimmy opened Xavier’s scoring with a 65 yard punt return for a touchdown after a shaky defense plagued by injuries and coming off of a short practice week, made worse by terrible weather allowed Christ the King to take the lead on their very first possession. The Knights later took the lead 14-7 when 2B Craig Scardapane found Kowalski on a counter pass play (the only complete pass of the day, we only threw 2 total) that saw all three of the Xavier receivers wide open. Jimmy ran for a 75 yard touchdown after catching a 5 yard pass with a convoy of blockers. After a quality Christ the King passing game tied the game 14-14, Jimmy returned his second punt for a touchdown 67 yards regaining the lead for Xavier 22-14. Christ the King and Xavier traded touchdowns in the 2nd Quarter with Jimmy breaking a 67 yard run off of a reverse handoff wide to the left side. The score at halftime was 29-22 Xavier, in a very strange half of football that saw 51 points scored in just 2 quarters.

Although it seemed that the defense grew into shape as the game progressed, the Christ the King passing game, which averaged 218 yard per game in the previous 5 games and the lights at St. John’s University seemed to plague our coverage people allowing the Royals to drive at times and also make a few big offensive plays. Yet, the defense led by LBs Danny Tomai, Mike Erickson, Safety Seamus Kelly and Corner Sean Kearney developed a bend but don’t break style of play allowing only one score in the second half.

In the second half Craig Scardapane took over the scoring duties for Xavier, finishing the best Xavier drive of the night 8 plays for 62 yards with a power run off of the right side. As the 7 Blocks of Granite (Offensive Line= 2E Tom Ryan, 3G Danny Guzzino, 4C Andrew Kluger, 5G Michael Dedza, 6T Frank Malandruccolo, 7T Michael Juszczak and 8E Michael O’Scannell) of the Single Wing Time Machine got it cranked up, the drive saw power running inside from Seamus Kelly and Mike Erickson and a big outside run for 29 yards by Jimmy Kowalski following a great block by PB Tommy O’Neill. Xavier leads 36-22. Christ the King then made the game interesting again with their own 8 play drive for a touchdown to finish the third quarter. Xavier still leads 36-28. On the following kick off however, Craig Scardapane scored again on a gutty 85 yard return with the second level blocking wedge doing their best imitation of the flying V and Craig breaking two tackles and cutting back on a third defender to return Xavier to a more comfortable lead 42-28.

In the 4^th quarter, the defense held off another Christ the King 15 play drive at the Xavier 18 yard line to keep the game in control for Xavier. 2B Seamus Kelly broke a 73 yard run off of a left side power play to seal the win and tie Xavier’s highest point total since the 1974 drubbing of the Fordham Ram 54-6. Craig Scardapane was 3 for 4 on extra point kicks and the only one he missed was after his 85 yard return for a TD.

The 49 points scored in this game, gives Xavier 200 points scored in a season for the third year in a row which is a feat never before accomplished in Xavier football history (beginning in 1882) and it is only game 6. Actually it is a feet only to be accomplished 7 times ever in Xavier History (1950) 220 points in 7 games *the record high average points per game 31.4*, (1987) 212 points in 9 games, (1996) 215 points in 12 games *AA Champions*, (1999) 302 points in 11 games *the record high total points per season*, (2005) 208 points in 11 games, (2006) 207 points in 11 games, (2007) 200 points in 6 games *currently averaging 33.3 points per game*.

The Knights next prepare to meet Nazareth High School (0-6, 0-5) at Aviator Field on Saturday, October 20^th @ 7:00p.m. for the 2007 Homecoming Game. The reception immediately following the game will once again be held at the Harbor Light Restaurant in Belle Harbor. Please contact Tom O’Hara at Kiddsback@aol.com or Athletic Director Rod Walker @ 212-924-7900 if you are interesting in attending the reception, so that we can get a better idea of the number to plan for. Go Knights!

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL LEAGUE of METROPOLITAN NEW YORK  

Nominee: James Kowalski School: Xavier High School - 49  

Position: Running Back & Corner Back Opponent: Christ the King - 28

Please fax nomination form to Kevin A'Hearn at (516) 292 – 2557 or email to nychsfl@optonline.net

Nominations must be received by the Monday Night Meeting.

All winners will be announce on the league website on Tuesday after the Monday Night Meeting.