Football
Led by an aggressive defense that smothered Rye Country Day School all afternoon, the St. Luke’s Varsity football team overcame the loss to injury of Captain and Senior quarterback Michael Hage to earn a decisive 27-6 victory over the Wildcats in the season opener at Rye.
The margin of victory was the largest by a Storm team over Rye in memory.
The Storm wasted no time when on the second play from scrimmage as Hage pitched out to Kenny Soares ‘21 who pulled up and threw a perfect strike deep downfield to Juan Rosario ‘19 for a 45-yard touchdown.
Andrew Lau ‘20 drilled the extra-point kick for a 7-0 lead just 50 seconds into the game.
Midway through the second quarter, after dropping back to throw, Hage was sacked and left the field with a serious injury. The loss of a charismatic leader is always difficult but the Storm rallied in support of untested Freshman quarterback Everett Andersen who came on in place of Hage.
Regrouping at halftime, and fired up to win the game for their fallen captain, the Storm came out and delivered a football clinic in the second half. With Soares, Chandler Greene ‘19 and Austin Andersen ‘21 handling the bulk of the running duties behind the talented Storm offensive line, the maroon and white pounded the ball at the Rye defense.
Early in the third quarter, after a defensive stand forced Rye to punt deep in their own territory, Soares took a handoff and broke several tackles for a nifty 15-yard TD run and a 14-0 lead.
The Storm took a three-touchdown lead early in the fourth quarter when Greene swept into the end zone from the two-yard line behind the blocks of Jordan Robinson ‘20, Dylan Johnson ‘20, Christian Haas ‘20 and Noah Bailey ‘19.
Despite having two Division I committed backs running the ball for Rye, the Storm defense continually forced the Wildcats to make mistakes – penalties, fumbles due to pressure, and an interception by Senior middle linebacker Bailey (nullified by penalty) – repeatedly pinning Rye in their own territory.
On offense, the Storm took care of the ball and did not commit a turnover in the game.
Rye finally broke through on a long pass for a touchdown, but St. Luke’s foiled the extra point attempt.
The Storm recovered Rye’s onside kick attempt and went on a ground and pound 52-yard seven-play drive, eating up the clock on the way to victory. Austin Andersen ran the ball up the gut on seven consecutive plays, finally diving into the end zone after a 19-yard run.