Week 1 Review

Navy vs CHC: Navy win 27-7

Player of the Game: Sr RB Alex Totta- 26carries 97yards 2TD

Navy began their title defense with a good win against a young Chestnut Hill team. Sr RB Alex Totta was running hard all night. The star ball carrier led the team in rushing with 96 yards and added two rushing touchdowns. Jr QB Brandon Atwood had a steady game passing finishing with 140yards and 1TD. However, where he really excelled was on the ground. Atwood finished with a career high 87 rushing yards most of which came on a fantastic 57-yard run. Defensively Jr DL Devyn Martin had a good night finishing with 4 tackles and a game high 2.5TFL & 1.5sacks. Martin should be in for a great season; he is going to be one of the best defensive linemen in the league this year. Navy hits the road again next week to visit Army.

Chestnut Hill took the early lead but couldn’t withstand the Navy rushing attack. Fr QB Anthony Cancell started his career off by throwing for 106yards and 1TD. The lone score of the night for the Griffins came when Cancell hit Sr WR Juste Schneider on a 30-yard touchdown. Sr LB Colby Goldsmith led CHC defensively finishing with 14 tackles 0.5TFL. A big game from Fr DL Jonathan Havrilak and Fr LB Lex Williams helped the Griffins slow down the Navy offense early. Havrilak finished with 9tackles 3TFL 1 sack and Williams added 10tackles 1TFL 1sack. Both guys should continue to improve throughout the season. CHC hits the road next week to visit Mansfield.

Alderson Broaddus vs Penn: Penn win 30-7

Player of the game: Sr QB Andrew Paolini – 320yards 3TD 40rushing yards 1TD

The new look Penn offense did not disappoint in their home opener. Sr QB Andrew Paolini looked sharp finishing with first ever 300 yard passing game. Paolini’s 3 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown proved to be touch much for the AB defense. Fr WR Brandon Graves had a first game to remember finishing with 5rec 128yards 2TD. Soph WR Jake Wang added 5rec 69yards 1TD. Despite being young these two receivers should make a lot of plays this year for the Penn offense. Defensively Sr DL Travis Legum set the tone up front finishing with 4tackles 3TFL 1sack. Soph LB Matt Mckillop found himself in the AB backfield quite a bit as well finishing with 3tackles 3TFL. Penn hits the road next week to visit STAC for the first time in program history. 

AB stayed in the game early but didn’t have enough firepower to keep pace. Sr QB Tim Tillman threw the ball very well finishing with 254yards 1TD 1int. Soph WR Jacob Perez and Fr WR Blake Baxter combined for 10rec 163yards 1TD. These two should continue to be Tillman’s primary targets throughout the season. Soph LB Jabari Gittens-Ampadu had an impactful night ending the game with 6tackles 3tfl 2sacks. Gittens-Ampadu showed flashes of what he could become last season despite only playing 2 games. If he continues to have performances like this, then AB could have the defensive star that can help them compete in the CSFL. AB heads home to welcome Caldwell next week. 

Army vs Cornell: Army win 72-0

Player of the game: Jr QB Mikal Willeke-185yards 3TD

The Army offense was firing on all cylinders Friday night as they put up a whopping 72 points. The Mikal Willeke era started off great with the Jr QB throwing for 185yards 3TD. It was a well-rounded offensive attack for Army with 3 different players finishing with a receiving touchdown and 5 different players finishing with a rushing touchdown. Fr RB Deandre Brunings led the offense with 64rushing yards and 2TD. Jr LB Michael Sullivan led Army in tackles with 7 also adding 1TFL and 1sack. The Army defense terrorized Cornell all night finishing with 7sacks and 9TFL. Army stays home to welcome Navy next week.

Cornell couldn’t do much of anything on Friday. As a team they generated 74 yards of total offense. As a defense they gave up 530yards.Not many positives to take away from this game on either side of the ball. Cornell will have their bye week and then welcome Mansfield on Sept 30th. 

Mansfield vs Caldwell: Caldwell win 33-17

Player of the game: Sr QB Frank DeMaio – 181yards 2TD 42rushing yards

Caldwell ended their season last year with a win over MU and started the season this year doing the same. The Caldwell offense played with a methodical pace led by QB Frank DeMaio steady hand. The Sr finished with 181yards 2TD 1int 42rushing yards. Timely throws and scrambles kept the CU offense going all night. Fr RB Devon Turner showed how promising he can be with 69yards 1TD. Defensively the Cougars had multiple players have an impact on the game. Soph LB Andrew Conklin led the team with 8tk adding 0.5TFL. Jr DL Bradley Smith added 6tk 2TFL 2sacks while Sr LB Jahmall Readus and Gr LB Anthony Guarino combined for 10tk 5.5TFL 2sacks. Soph DB Amajuwan Murray added 3 tackles, but his biggest play came when he took an interception 33yards to the house. Caldwell hits the road next week to visit AB.

Mansfield couldn’t get rolling on either side of the ball. Soph QB Cahsid Raymond only threw for 38yards with 1int but was the primary source of offense on the ground finishing with 112 rushing yards. Unfortunately, he was knocked out of the game for some time but appears to be healthy as he returned late in the game. Sr WR Eugene Haynes led the team in receiving with 5rec 74yards 1TD. Defensively the usual suspects did what they could to slow down CU. Sr LB Matt Robert had another 10+ tackle game finishing with 12 while adding 2TFL & 1sack. Sr DL Chase Moser had 6tk with 2TFL. Mansfield heads back home next week to welcome Chestnut Hill.

Quincy vs Fontbonne: Quincy win 7-0

Player of the Game: Sr QB Taylor Klusmeyer – 93passing yards 3int 73rushing yards 1TD

Saturday was a historic day for both schools as they were a part of the first game in MSFL history. Quincy took home the win thanks to the efforts of Sr QB Taylor Klusmeyer who finished with 93passing yards 73rushing yards 1TD. The passing game wasn’t very crisp, Klusmeyer finished with 3int, but that is to be expected when you’re talking about a young team in their first game ever. Fr WR Camden Pye was the main target on the day finishing with 6rec for 60yards. The Quincy defense showed how talented they could be pitching a shutout in their first game. Fr LB Jaree Jones was tied for the team lead in tackles with 7 while also adding 2.5TFL & 2pbu.  Fr Safety Landyn Smith and Fr LB Jamarcus Glenn both added 4 tackles a piece and 1int each. Quincy hits the road again next week to visit SMWC in Indiana.

Fontbonne played their part on this historic day but couldn’t take home the win. Fr QB Zapher Lea struggled in his first outing only throwing for 54yards and 2int.  Fr RB Darrion White had the most explosive offensive play when he broke away for 42yard run in the 1st quarter. He finished with 8rushes for 49yards.  Fr LB Avion Bass led the Griffins defense with 10 tackles and 1pbu. Fr DL Isaiah Sanders had himself a day as well finishing with 8tackles 1sack 4TFL. Fr DB Adonis Whitney, Fr LB Clayton Arrowood, and Fr DB Donte Lewis all finished the game with 1int. The Fontbonne defense showed a lot of fight and flashes of what they can become. The Griffins hit the road next week to visit Bellarmine in Kentucky.

Bellarmine vs Midway: Bellarmine win 17-15

Player of the game: Fr RB Brenden Reid- 93rushing yards 1TD 5rec 72receiving yards 

More historic action took place in Kentucky as Bellarmine won their inaugural MSFL game. Fr QB Dylan Gough threw for 165yards 1TD 2int. Despite being under pressure from the Midway defense, Gough managed to steady the ship and threw the first TD in school history to Soph TE Brock Snead who finished with 3rec 30yards 1TD. The offensive star of the night however was Fr RB Brenden Reid who made a huge impact finishing with 165 all-purpose yards with 1TD. Not to be outdone Sr DB Devan Hendricks added 62yards on the ground but made a bigger impact on defense finishing with 9tk and 2int. Fr DL Louinel Plaisir had a great opening game adding 8tk 2.5TFL 1.5sacks 1int. Even with all of the spectacular play on both sides of the ball the one to bring home the game was Fr K Ben Valle who nailed a 33yard FG with 0:44 seconds remaining. Bellarmine heads home for their first home game against Fontbonne.

Midway fought their way back into this one and were in it until the very end. Fr QB DJ Palmer threw for 178yards 2TD 3int in his first game at the helm. With the running game not rolling the only source of offense for Midway was through the air. Fr Wr Penther Alphonse was the big play threat of the night finishing with 2rec 80yards 1TD. Fr WR Ja’shawn Lee did his part finishing with 3rec 56yards 1TD. The defense was led by Fr LB pair Tristan Berrios and Jonah Kile. The pair combined for 19tk 7.5TFL 3.5sacks 4ff. If the pair can continue to have performances like this the Midway defense will be a force this season. Midway hits the road next week to visit CCSJ in Indiana for the first time. 

St.Mary-Woods vs Calumet College: SMWC win 34-28 OT

Player of the game: Fr QB Brian Marrell- 188yards 3TD 44rushing yards

What a way to end an exciting weekend. The first OT game in MSFL history. SMWC had to fight their way back into this after being down for most of the game. Fr QB Brennon Landry led the way early finishing with 152yards 2TD 1int 57rushing yards. Unfortunately, the talented QB left the game due to injury and did not return. However, this proved to be the spark the team need as backup Fr QB Brian Marrell came in and turned things around finishing with 188yards 3TD 44rushing yards. The workhorse for the SMWC offense was Fr RB Patrick Perea who finished with 174 all-purpose yards and 1TD. The young RB looked explosive gaining a first down just about every time he touched the ball. The SMWC defense was full of young guys making the most of this historic day. Fr DL/LB Trey Jackson led the team with 10tk 2.5TFL 2sacks. Right behind him was Fr DL/LB Hunter Cardwell adding 7tk 3sacks. In the secondary Fr DB Monte’ May added his 8tk 1TFL 1int. SMWC heads home next week to welcome Quincy to Indiana. 

CCSJ held the lead for most of the game but couldn’t secure the victory. The passing game wasn’t clicking for the Wave. Fr QB Blaze Cano only threw for 67yards with 1TD 2int.  However, two young running backs kept their hopes alive. Fr RB Jonathan Flemings led the team with 133rushing yards 2TD. Fr RB Elijah Antis kept the ball moving as well adding 53yards 1TD. The pair looked electric all night and showed be mainstays in the CCSJ offense moving forward.  Fr LB Trevor Busse led the team in tackles with 12 adding 1TFL. Fr LB Isaac Hegwood did his part to impact the game finishing with 11tk 1TFL 1ff. CCSJ stays home to welcome Midway next week.