With a PSAL Cup Conference playoff berth hanging in the balance, August Martin Football (6-0) could not have picked a better time to enter beast mode, as the Falcons complied 347 yards of offense in their 54-0 lopsided victory over Bryant (2-4) Saturday afternoon at Flushing Memorial Field.
Their defense, not to be left out, was up to the task as well, surrendering just 97 offensive yards.
After picking up its sixth straight league victory, Head Coach Kyle Allen said his troops are hitting their stride now.
However, the the third-year August Martin Coach noted that he doesn’t want to leave anything to chance after missing out on the postseason due to power points rankings in 2019.
At the moment, the Falcons sit in the 14th spot, good enough to make the playoffs, but the postseason picture is surely to change either way. So he said he is going to crank up the winning attitude going forward, staring with their contest versus Columbus next weekend.
“We’re ready for the playoffs now,” Allen confidently said of his team’s performance as it nears the end of the regular season. “We’re ready to go to war now. The kids are excited. I mean, we’re one game away from finishing our season undefeated. Right now, it looks like we’re pretty much a lock for the playoffs. But I though that two years ago, but we weren’t. So, we just have to keep winning. I tell them, ‘every game counts.’ At this point, we have to win or go home. We’re going to approach the next game the same way.”
In a balanced offensive attack, senior quarterback Chris Davis completed seven of eight attempts for 199 yards and two touchdowns while scoring two more on the ground. Senior Isaiah Allen caught five passes for 191 yards and two scores and had a 70-yard run. Reversing their roles, Allen completed a two-point pass to Davis.
August Martin opened the scoring on a Giovanni Faulkner 13-yard TD rush, and then Alex Benjamin converted the the two-point conversion run for an 8-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Next, Davis connected with Allen on a 45-yard touchdown pass and Benjamin cashed in the two-point run for a 16-0 advantage late in the second period.
Benjamin recovered a fumble on the Owls’ two-yard, and Davis found pay dirt on the next play. Senior Ismael Acosta-Ramos caught the two-point pass and the Falcons were off and flying with a 24-0 lead under their collective wings midway through the second quarter.
Not resting on its laurels, Davis scored his second rushing TD from the five, and Benjamin made good on his third two-point run of the tilt for a 32-0 advantage late in the first half.
During the first drive of the second half for the Owls, senior Truwayne Powell picked up a fumble and scampered into the end zone for a score. Then, Faulkner converted the ensuing two-point run for a 40-0 lead.
A Bryant failed attempt to field the kickoff resulted in recovering the ball at its own five. A few plays later, Acosta-Ramos rushed for a two-point touchdown and the Falcons converted the two-point play to increase its margin to 48-0 advantage late in the third period.
Davis and Allen capped the scoring on a 75-yard TD toss-catch, respectively, in the fourth period.
Senior Angel John, playing in his first game, led the August Martin defense with six tackles, two for a loss. Powell followed with five stops, three for a loss, and a fumble recovery. Senior Austin Clerjeau made three tackles and recorded two sacks while junior Deven Rangasamy picked up a sack as well.
Owls senior Jaunpaul McWilliams led his squad in rushing with 46 yards on six touches.
The Falcons travel to the Bronx to face Columbus on Saturday at noon in the battle of two unbeaten teams in the regular season finale.
— Jerry Del Priore
Brooklyn Sports World/NY NJ Sports World 