Gridders get conked in the Bronx

football game
(Photo contributed by Paul O’Flaherty) - Sophomore Ian Engenito turns the corner in the second half against Cardinal Hayes.

The Dragons ground out 20 first downs against Cardinal Hayes, but it wasn’t enough. The team from the Bronx won 37-14.

The game started at 3 o’clock on Saturday afternoon on a field outside of Yankee Stadium. The teams traded touchdowns in the first half, with the Dragons holding leads of 7-6 and 14-13.

The pivotal point came just before intermission. Cardinal Hayes had regained the lead (19-14) on a 61-yard pass play. It was the Dragons’ turn to score, and they almost did.

They marched down field on three penalties, completions to Brenden O’Flaherty and Shakir Henry, and a nine-yard run by Jason Bailey. With a yard to go, however, the Dragons were stopped inside the home team’s 20-yard line.

Cardinal Hayes answered with a short pass. The receiver broke a tackle a few yards from the line of scrimmage and found a clear path to the end zone to make the score at half time 25-14.

The Bronx team scored twice in the second half. The visitors crossed mid-field on three occasions, but could never reach the goal line.

It was a satisfying victory for the Cardinals, who had lost in Cornwall last season. They had a considerable advantage in size, and were called for 13 penalties in the first half.

Cornwall stopped three attempts at two-point conversions, and Ian Engenito blocked a kick for the extra point.

Throughout the game, cheers could be heard from Yankee Stadium. The Bombers dropped a doubleheader, which affected them in the standings. By contrast, Cornwall’s loss will have no impact on the rest of the season.

SCORING
CH: 4-yard run. Kick wide (0-6, 1Q)
C: O’Flaherty 44-yard pass from Bailey. Kick good (7-6, 1Q)
CH: 6-yard run. Kick good (7-13, 2Q)
C: Krafft 3-yard pass from Bailey. Kick good. (14-13, 2Q)
CH: 61-yard pass play. Pass for 2 pts. no good (14-19, 2Q)
CH: 75-yard pass play. Run for 2 pts. no good (14-25, 2Q)
CH: 50-yard run. Kick for extra point blocked (14-31, 3Q)
CH: 16-yard pass. Pass for 2 pts. incomplete. (14-37, 4Q)

STATISTICS
Touchdowns: O’Flaherty and N. Krafft. Extra points: Lawrence 2. First downs: Penalties 4, O’Flaherty 4, Bailey 2, N. Krafft 2, Marzigliano 2, Coppola 1, Engenito 1, Hartnett 1, Piekarz 1, Robinson 1.
Passing: Bailey 22 completions in 43 attempts for 217 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Receiving: O’Flaherty 9 catches for 112 yards, Krafft 3 for 34, Robinson 3 for 19, Hartnett 2 for 17, Henry 1 for 14, Piekarz 1 for 12, Coppola 1 for 11, Marzigliano 1 for no yards, Engenito 1 for -2 yards. Rushing: Marzigliano five carries for 26 yards, Bailey 10 for 22, Engenito 6 for 12.
Interception: M. Krafft. Fumble recovery: Masterson. Blocked extra point: Engenito.