Jones’s Three Scores Lift St. Joseph Prep to 6A State Semis @SJPrep_Football
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Willie McGonigle | November 27, 2021
SPRINGFIELD: After leading the St. Joseph Prep Hawks to a 6-2 record in the regular season St. Joseph Prep’s Sophomore Quarterback Samaj Jones had to sit out the Hawks previous three games due to an injury Jones was ready. In his absence the Hawks offense was under the direction of Sr. Dane Picariello. All Picariello did was led the Hawks to three consecutive playoff victories including revenging of the Hawks earlier season loses to LaSalle and a dominating performance in last weeks District 12 championship. But yet Hawks found their offense struggling against District 11’s Bethlehem Freedom Patriots and their offense needing a spark, enter Jones and all he did was answer the bell scoring three rushing touchdowns propelling the Hawks to their 8th straight victory by a score of 24-21 on a frigid Friday evening at Cardinal O’Hara in the Quarterfinal round of the PIAA 6A tournament.
“I think both guys give us a great spark.” Hawks Head Coach Tim Roken said of his quarterbacks adding, “Both are very unselfish.”
“One thing we make sure we do as a team is when our number is called, we answer it and make big time plays.” Jones said adding that he couldn’t been more happier seeing the Hawks continuing to succeed while he was out.
After a scoreless first quarter the Patriots defense did their part to set up the first points of the game with an interception and return of Picariello by Lorenzo Feliciaino after Juan Feliciaino tipped the ball in the air giving the Patriots the ball at the Hawks 6-yard line. Two plays later Deante Crawford would give the Patriots the 7-0 lead with his 3-yard touchdown run. Crawford the workhorse for the Patriots ended the game with 135 yards on 35 carries.
On the next Hawks drive with Jones in at Quarterback the Hawks needed only two plays to get into Patriot territory with a 38-yard completion to classmate David Washington Jr that put the Hawks at the Patriots 24. Four plays later Antonio Chadha 38-yard field goal cut the Patriots lead to 7-3.
On the next Hawks drive Jones used his legs racing 29-yards for a touchdown giving them the 10-7 lead. The run capped a seven play 55-yard drive.
With seconds left in the first half the Hawks appeared poised to extend their lead more but Chadha’s 31 yard field goal attempt was blocked by Jayden Slack.
After a scoreless third quarter which the Hawks defense on the field for 16 plays compared to the six plays the Patriots defense was on the field for. The Hawks would extend their lead needing only three plays after their defense forced a turnover on downs to have Jones gallop his way 73-yards for the touchdown.
The Patriots wouldn’t go down without fight on their next drive going 76-yards on 11 plays with the drive ending with a 3-yard touchdown by QB Brian Taylor. But the Hawks would respond right back with Jones again using his legs to find the endzone this time from 11-yards out putting the Hawks up 24-14 with 2:08 left to play.
The Patriots again would make things interesting driving down the field behind the arm of Taylor who would find Ethan Neidig for a 4-yard touchdown with 23.5 seconds left. The ensuing onsides kick would end up bouncing out of bounds preserving the Hawks 24-21 victory.
After words Roken had nothing but praise for the Patriots telling reporters. “We knew we were going to get their best punch. They are very disciplined and very well coached.” Adding “They got some great players. We were just able to finish at the end, but that’s a very good ball club
The Hawks will now take on the District 1 Champion Garnet Valley with details TBD.
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