Cardinal Newman 49, Pahokee 22: Crusaders' offense continues to excel

Friday, September 07, 2012
by Joseph Kairalla

Cardinal Newman showed its 72-point outburst in Week 1 was no fluke as it scored early and often en route to dominating Pahokee 49-22 on Friday night.

Devonte Brown gave the Crusaders the early lead in a game they never trailed when he scored from 1 yard out midway through the first quarter.

The Blue Devils, who were making their season debut, showed some early fight when they scored on the ensuing possession. Pahokee quarterback Derry Brown connected with receiver Malik Thornton to make it 7-6.

Yet when the second quarter started, the Crusaders' offense came to life in a big way. First, quarterback George Mastics hit his favorite target, Travis Rudolph, for a 47-yard touchdown.

After Pahokee fumbled on the next possession, Mastics capitalized by throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Arrian Parham to make it 21-6.

"We have a lot of offensive firepower, and our goal is to score every possession," Crusaders coach Steve Walsh said. "We did a good job of using all of our weapons."

Turnovers continued to hamper the Blue Devils as their next drive ended in an interception. Again, Newman made them pay right away as Brown scored his second touchdown of the game, this time sprinting in from 11 yards out.

Pahokee didn't turn the ball over on its next possession, but it did go three-and-out and was forced to punt. Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, that kick was to Brown, who returned it 40 yards for his third score of the game to give Newman a 35-6 at halftime.

"Devonte is a threat to score whenever he has the ball," Walsh said. "He's a big, strong kid."

After Pahokee returned the opening kick of the second half for a touchdown, Rudolph struck again. This time the junior playmaker hauled in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Mastics, making it 42-14.

Pahokee choose to play Rudolph with man-to-man coverage, and he continually made them pay.

"To me, that was disrespect," Rudolph said. "When I see that, my eyes light up and I make plays."

Rudolph finished with four catches for 97 yards and the two scores.

"He's the real deal," Walsh said.

Walsk also praised his quarterback Mastics, who finished 7-of-12 for 152 yards and three touchdowns.

The once powerful Blue Devils showed some young talent and untapped potential, but also demonstrated that they are still a ways away from returning to prominence.