Landon Football 42 SSSA 13

The Saint Stephen’s/ Saint Agnes’ 2-5 record did not look threatening. As the teams warmed up, the home team showed some good size and speed. It was Seniors’ Day and several of the players leading the team statistically walked onto the field not suited up. At the end of the 1^st quarter, the Saints’ play explained their record.

While the offense put up 42 points, the defense played very well and listed at the end of this post are VERY UNOFFICIAL statistics for the defenders. They deserve more credit than the text can give them.

The Bears won the toss of the coin but deferred. Davis Walker, fresh from the Bears’ soccer IAC regular season win, kicked off through the end zone (5 kickoffs for the day, all but one went into the end zone). The Bear D smothered the Saints attack and forced a punt. Tyler Smith returned it 52 yards for what would have been a TD, but for a penalty against the Bears.

The Landon O went 47 yards in 3 plays with a TD run by Joey Epstein 22 yards out @ 9:13. Davis successfully converted the PAT with a good snap by LS Austen Schnider and a ball hold by Tommy Baldwin.  BEARS 7 SAINTS 0

The home team held the ball for 6 plays and had to punt. Starting 4 yards into their own territory, the visitors’ Jelani Machen scored in one play, a burst around right end, shedding Saints like a demon, 54 yards @8:08 PAT good BEARS 14 SAINTS 0

The Alexandria team held the ball for 8 plays aided by a Bethesda team penalty. The possession was stopped by 2 Tackles for Losses, a pass defended and two incomplete passes. Landon’s offense sputtered unable to capitalize on an eight play drive. The Saints went three and out and punted on the last play of the first quarter.

Somewhere in the game, the Saints completed a pass to their big wide receiver. Amazingly, the Landan Nose Tackle, Terrance Bridgers came many yards down the field to bring down the opponent. Remarkable speed and determination from the 295 Junior. Later in the game there was a bad snap by SSSA and Tiny Terrance crushed the opposing QB.

END OF 1^ST Q BEARS 14 SAINTS 0

A promising drive ended on the 12 yard line with a fumble. Starting on their own 20 yard line SSSA went backwards and a shanked punt resulted in a Bears’ possession at the Saints’ 32. Zayd Delane on 1^st down ran and covered all 32 yards in one play. PAT good, @7:02 BEARS 21 SAINTS 0

Davis kicked off into the wind and only reached the 4 yard line. The home team found its rhythm and drove 80 yards in 14 plays and scored at 3:01 of Q2. It might have been a bad snap or a designed 2 point try from a PAT formation, but whatever it was it failed. BEARS 21 SAINTS 6

To end the half, Landon drove the ball 22 yards in 7 plays but ran out of time.

HALFTIME BEARS 21 SAINTS 6

Attempts by the Saints’ coaching staff to prevent the Bears’ return men from getting an open field on the kick off resulted in a series of penalties and gave the ball to the Bethesda team on the SSSA 48. Six successive successful runs finished with a Jelani Machen 19 yard TD run @ 9:05. PAT good BEARS 28 SAINTS 6

Surprise Davis put the kickoff into the end zone. A promising SSSA drive ended in a fumble. A run, a pass, a run set up a 2^nd and 6. A great ball fake by John Geppert, followed by a roll out and a perfect 27 yard TD to Tommy Baldwin @ 6:34; PAT good BEARS 35 SAINTS 6

Once again, the Saints had no chance to return and gave up the ball after 4 downs. A short gain and then Jelani Machen sprinted 52 yards for a TD @ 2:26 PAT good BEARS 42 SAINTS 6

Another kick into the end zone put the Saints 80 yards away and a clock running due to the point differential, the home team showed its character and scored a TD at 1:41. BEARS 42 SAINTS 13.

Landon retained the prolate spheroid for the remaining ticks of the clock.

FINAL SCORE BEARS 42 SAINTS 13

LANDON STATISTICS

RUSHING

Player	Att	Yds	TDs
Jelani Machen	9	184	3
Joey Epstein	5	56	1
Zayd Delane	4	44	1
Tyler Smith	2	30	–
John Geppert	3	17	–
Justin Herbert	2	7	–
Brown Anglin	5	4	–
Totals:	30	342	5
PASSING Player Geppert passes  5 Completions 4 TDs   1 Player Rec    Yds TDs Tommy Baldwin 1 27 1 Tyler Smith 2 26 – Totals: 3 53 1

DEFENSIVE STATISTICS

TFLS

Delane 2

Ford      2

Bridgers 1

Chapman   1

Epstein        1

Ford            1

Sillah            1

Williams       1

PASSES DEFENDED

Ford           2

Hartley        1

FUMBLE RECOVERED

Epstein       1

BEAT EPISCOPAL