Football Drops First Game 21-13 to Grand Rapids

Football Drops First Game 21-13 to Grand Rapids

Brooklyn, NY - The ASA football wasn’t able to hold on to an early 7-0 lead to upset #10 nationally ranked Grand Rapids CC this afternoon. ASA struck first on offense with nine minutes to go in the first quarter. Sophomore quarterback Travis Eakin(Toney, AL/Madison Academy) was able to connect on a 52 yard touchdown pass and run to sophomore wide receiver Malcolm Eugene and freshman kicker, Kevin Hartley (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst) would score the extra point kick to put the Avengers up 7-0. The Avenger defense would hold the Raiders scoreless until 12 seconds to go in the first half as GRCC quarterback, Jason Stallons, would find wide receiver Brian Parker in the end zone for the fourteen yard touchdown pass and reception. The extra point was good for the Raiders, dead locking the game at 7-7 going into the second half.

The Raiders made it interesting by making a quarterback change to start the second half going with backup Terrance Moore. Moore would put the ASA defense on its heels a bit with his running style of play. Stallon would come back in for Moore and complete a nine yard touch pass to wide receiver AJ Whitehead with 12:31 left to play in the third quarter. The Raider offense would strike again nine minutes later in the quarter. This time it would be Moore passing the ball to a wide open Brandon Newbern for the 44 yard reception and touchdown run. Both extra point attempts would be good for kicker, Greg Cognetto. ASA would not answer the call on offense until 2:11 left in the game on a nineteen yard Nahjee Gibson (Sicklerville, NJ/Timbercreek/Fr./RB) touchdown run.Keith Watson (Brooklyn, NY/Erasmus Hall/So./DE)made his presence known on the defensive end with 11.5 tackles, 2 sacks, and five tackles for a loss of 26 yards.Ivan Nicholas (Jacksonville, FL/Robert E. Lee/So./FS) also stood out for the Avenger defense, with nine tackles (8 unassisted).

Penalties were the difference in the game. ASA gave up 115 yards to GRCC’s 40. Despite this difference, ASA outgained the Raiders on offense 372-270 yards. The Avengers had five turnovers to GRCC’s one.

The Avengers will take the field again this Saturday, September 11th, as they open up their conference schedule against Hudson Valley CC. The game will be played at Old Boys High field and the game time has been moved to 4pm.