If you look at the records of August Martin High School (Queens, New York–1-5) and Beach Channel Campus (4-2) going into their Public School Athletic League (PSAL) 2A football conference Sunday matchup, the Dolphins would be the clear-cut favorite on paper.
But do not tell the Falcons that, as they played a solid game, outlasting Beach Channel, 20-14, on the road.
Head coach Kyle Allen said their record is not a true indication of who they are as a football team. But August Martin (2-5) manage to not repeatedly shoot itself in the foot and were able to ultimately close out the game.
“We’re not really a 1-5 team. We’re a lot better than what our record says,” head coach Kyle Allen said. “We just haven’t finished a lot of games until today. It got a little shaky at the end, but we were able to finish.”
So, what were the keys to the game for Allen’s squad?
“We started fast on both sides of the ball,” he replied. “We made plays when we had to, and we executed. That was the main thing. Those were some of things we haven’t done in the past. We got those things done this week.”
Senior Rowayne McKenzie helped the Falcons to a 6-0 lead on a seven-yard touchdown rush late in the first quarter. McKenzie had 10 carries for a team-leading 56 yards and a score.
When asked if he felt like he to carry August Martin on his board shoulders,” McKenzie said, “I definitely did, because we’ve been losing. I felt like we had to pick it up. I felt like I had a good game offensively, but defensively, I could have done better. But we won.”
Next, senior David Bennett hit pay dirt on 10-yard pass from senior quarterback Henry Lancaster to give the Falcons a 12-0 advantage early in the second period.
On third and goal, right before the half concluded, the Dolphins stopped McKenzie just short of crossing the goal line, keeping them behind by just 12 points.
However, senior Jaydan Walters returned a kickoff to the house for an 18-0 lead early in the third quarter. Bennett proceeded to cash in the two-point conversion rush to extend the Falcons’ margin to 20 points.
Walters said he left the gridiron knowing that he gave everything he had, and did not overthink things too much, just went out and balled.
“I feel good about this game,” Walters, who made four tackels, had one catch for 37 yards and the TD kickoff return, said. “I feel like I tried my best. I feel like I’ve been in my head too much. And now, I could finally let loose and show what I always had inside of me.”
Another player who enjoyed a standout game was senior Roger Kossally, who was all over the defensive side of the field, making several big plays, including six stops, three for a loss, and a sack. But he deflected the praise to his teammates.
“I felt good out there, but I couldn’t do it without my teammates,” Kossally said. “They put me in the position to play well.”
Refusing to lay down, Beach Channel (4-3) busted through for its first score of the tilt, a two-yard run, closing the gap at 20-6 with 3:32 to go in the third period.
Unfortunately for the Falcons, they had a kickoff return called back due to a penalty, and later wound up turning over the ball on downs.
With time running out on the Dolphins, they had a little luck on their side this time, as a batted ball wound up in the hands of one of their receivers for a touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion rush. The TD sliced the deficit to 20-14 late in the game.
But it was a little too late, as August Martin recovered the onside kick attempt, and then took a knee on its next possession to secure the victory.
Lancaster completed four of 11 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.
The Falcons travel to Manhattan to face East Harlem Pride Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
— Jerry Del Priore
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 