HUNTING VALLEY: Area prep football fans know the St. Vincent-St. Mary Irish for their high-flying offense, but on a chilly, sun-drenched afternoon they brought ferocious defense with them to face University School in the opening round of the Division III playoffs at Scovil Field.
The defense crushed any chance the Preppers had of even getting into the game early on in the 27-14 victory. University School went three-and-out the first three times they had the ball and didn’t earn a first down until the 6:24 mark of the second quarter.
Even when the Preppers overcame that mini mountain, they still didn’t score until late in the game. After being given a break in the second quarter when the ball hit an unsuspecting Irish player on a punt return, setting the Preppers up for at the Irish 30, St. V-M’s defense hunkered down.
After inching the ball to the Irish 9, the Preppers faced a fourth-and-3. Quarterback Tyler Eden’s pass eventually fell incomplete and with it any chance of gaining some momentum in the half.
“The defense came to play today,” Irish coach Dan Boarman said.
And they played extremely well in the first half, giving the Irish enough of effort for them to take advantage of Preppers’ weaknesses.
Though total yardage was virtually even at 281 for the Irish and 271 for the Preppers, play in the red zone dictated the tone. The first four trips into scoring territory resulted in zero points. The margin of victory would have been greater but University School scored twice lat in the second half.
“I don’t know if we let up. We’ve got some people banged up. The youngsters filled in and did a great job,” Boarman said. “That’s why you have a JV program so these guys can get an opportunity to practice and play.”
One of those individuals who brought a significant presence in the game was linebacker Dante Booker. A sophomore, Booker played an instrumental role in stopping the Preppers when they came close to scoring late in the second quarter.
“The whole defense played well, but Booker stood out,” Boarman said. “He’s not a sophomore. He played last year, so he’s kind of like a junior, half senior.”
As impressive as Booker played, junior Franshon Bickley (four receptions, 108 yards) made his presence known on offense and special teams. A 5-foot-7 wide receiver, Bickley might have to fill out some, but he plays big. He played huge on Saturday, delivering a 36-yard punt return for a touchdown.
“I just saw the open seam and took it to the end zone,” Bickley said.
That wasn’t all for Bickley. He also caught a pass for more than 50 yards that set up another Irish touchdown. He gained most of the yardage after the catch.
“He’s a playmaker. He’s the kind of kid you have to have out on the field and he makes plays,” Boarman said.
Bickley said that he just listens to his coaches.
“Coach said I’m always shifty, so I just made my moves,” he said. “I just came out here and gave it all I got so my team could play the next weekend.”
The Irish will take on Mentor Lake Catholic in the next round of the playoffs.
“They’re an excellent football team,” Boarman said. “It’s a team we’re going to have to bring our A-game to.”
