St. Joseph by-the-Sea can't cash in on turnovers, drop 20-6 decision
By
September 26, 2015 9:36 p.m.
St. Joseph by-the-Sea running back Mike Maiz (3) had a 10-yard TD to tie
the score
against Xavier in the second quarter. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton
Flores)
St. Joseph by-the-Sea allowed a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns en route to dropping a 20-6 CHSFL AA decision to Xavier Saturday at Aviator Field in Brooklyn.
The 1-2 Vikings, who were tied 6-6 entering the final period, forced a number of turnovers by the Knights over the course of the game, but they failed to cash in on offense.
"We took the ball away from them about 4-5 times, but couldn't capitalize on it. Our offense stalled,'' said Sea first-year coach Mike Corona. "We had our opportunities, but every time we got a big gain on a play, it was called back. There was a lot of flags.''
"It's really tough to function offensively when that's constantly happening to you,'' he added. "The loss is on me.''
Francis Perry led Sea's rushing attack with 20 carries for 88 yards while Andrew Cortese was the leading receiver, hauling in five catches for 57 yards.
With the score tied 6-6 entering the final period, the Knights scored on short fields to make the score 20-6.
Xavier scored first in the opening period, but missed the extra point.
The Vikings tied the score in the second period via Mike Maiz's 10-yard TD run, but missed taking the lead when it failed to score on the two-point conversion.
If you view the article online, you will note that it is accompanied by a photo of St. Joe's running back Mike Maiz surrounded by defenders wearing X-emblazoned helmets. Unfortunately, they are from Xaverian. The photo caption does not point this out, however. You will also note that Mr. De Biase's article is a bit sparse with information about Xavier. No Knights are mentioned by name, nor is our record. (Now 3-0!)
Dollars to donuts, the reporter was not at the game and was relying on St. Joe's head coach for the details, which is how we learn that the Vikings forced many turnovers, only to be thwarted every time by flag-throwing officials. (I'll be interested to hear Coach Stevens' perspective on this afternoon's contest.)
It's a sad commentary on the state of affairs at a newspaper once known for its terrific coverage of high school football. I don't blame The Staten Island Advance, which has to contend with the harsh economics of the newspaper business in the 21st century, nor do I blame Mr. De Biase, who probably had many other games to "cover" today at time when all newspapers are cutting their editorial staffs to the bone and reporters and editors are overworked and underpaid.
And that, boys and girls, is the flip side of the so-called Internet miracle.
More details to follow on this and today's JV and frosh games after I hear from Xavier's coaches (and Xavier Nation's citizen sports journalists?!).
Stand
by...
Tom O'Hara '69