A statement win for Aquinas?
Coach Moe Jackson's Li’l Irish put on a defensive clinic in a convincing 21-2 win over Section V Class AA contender University Prep Friday night at Wegmans Stadium.
Sophomore quarterback Trent Buttles threw a pair of touchdowns and caught one of five interceptions Aquinas (2-0, 1-0) forced on defense. Buttles' 42-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Levans III gave the Irish a 7-0 first quarter lead, but his 15-yard touchdown to Alexis Rosado was highlight reel worthy, fleeing out of the pocket and finding his senior receiver in the back of the end zone with less than six minutes left.
Jeff Logan III's four-yard run three minutes later clinched it for Aquinas. But it was Logan's play at linebacker alongside Quante Gillians, Lucas Leone, CJ Flaherty and Gaetano Auriuso in what appeared to be a 2-5 defensive front that contained UPrep's dynamic backfield of Tavion Byrd and former Irish star CJ Robinson.
Derrion Battle was Aquinas' “Swiss Army knife” who lined up at running back and receiver with Noah Collins-Howard out with an injury. In fact, the Irish played with 25 players. They as the Irish led 7-2 at halftime.
Aquinas coach Moe Jackson's defense shutout Buffalo's Bishop Timon 36-0 in Week 1 and have not allowed a touchdown through two weeks. His defense allowed a total of 100 yards and didn't surrender a single first down in the second half to UPrep (0-2, 0-1).
Coach Isiah Young's Griffins were led by stud receiver Jayvon Johnson, whose second quarter reception moved them inside the 10. When UPrep turned the ball over on downs at the one, Kamari Miller and Cashmere Williams tackled Auriuso in the end zone for a safety. UPrep trailed 7-2 when Stuart Smith blocked a field goal midway through the fourth. The Griffins opened the season with a 34-8 loss to Long Island catholic power St. Anthony's at Fauver Stadium.
“Football is basic. You just have to play football, man. I hope I'm not giving away my secret but when you need to stop a running back, you got to set the edge… Keep him bottled inside and let our linebackers tackle him,” said Jackson, whose players showered him with a Gatorade bath postgame.
— Article by Marquel Slaughter, James Johnson and Justin Ritzel who are journalists for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports.
To view a gallery of images from Friday's game, Click Here.