NYC Football Predictions: Week 1

By ZACH BRAZILLER and JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Xavier Pounds Middletown

The last time The Team Formerly Known as the Kaydets... and then the Bruins... (Est. 1882) triumphed on Opening Day, Famous Seamus Kelly was lining up in Coach Chris Stevens' single-wing backfield. That was four years ago, and the Famous One has since moved over to the other coast, where he now captains the University of California's vaunted rugby team.

But The Amazing, Fantastic Gridiron Way Back Machine is alive and well, and Saturday afternoon it rolled over upstate Middletown High School 41-8. The issue was never in doubt, as the Knights jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead. The Middies' only score came late in the game when they returned a fumble 60 yards to the Xavier 3 and then punched it in several plays later.

Junior running back Trey Solomon picked right up where he left off in his breakout sophomore season, rushing for over 200 yards and four touchdowns. Seniors Connor Sweet and Brendan McCabe contributed two more. Xavier's air attack was minimal but efficient, completing six of seven passes, including one more TD. (Haven't seen the stat sheet yet, so I can't tell you who was involved. Stand by!)

The first correspondent from Xavier Nation to report in Saturday evening was the president of 16th Street himself, Mr. Jack Raslowsky:  We won so big I can't remember the score. We were up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. Scored again to go up 20-0 in the second quarter and missed the PAT. Had at least three more TD's and it may have been four.  Their one score was later in the game. They picked up a fumble and ran down to the 3. Punched it in a few plays later.
Trey looked very good. Lots of yards. No injuries of any major significance.

Well done, Mr. President. Vintage Xavier gridironman and big shot barrister Dave Joyce '74 also checked in: Was at the game, left early. Xavier looked good and dominated on both sides of the ball. Trey Solomon is exceptional— he can run past or though his opponents, and he did both.  I would have asked Dave to write more, but have you seen his hourly rate? He's a partner at White Case, for crying out loud.

Stand by...
Tom O'Hara '69