St. Albans Football moved to 3-0 on the season with a convincing win over Jackson-Reed Saturday at Steuart Field. Early on the game looked like it would be a defensive battle as both teams forced turnovers and punts in the first 10 minutes of the game. With just over two minutes left in the quarter on a first down at the 50-yard line, Bulldog sophomore quarterback Brett Pautskis completed a slant to junior Zahir Cobb, who added a 35-yard run to the 3-yard line. Two plays later Christian Cherilus ran over right tackle for the first score of the game. Senior Peter Prince added the extra point for a 7-0 STA lead.

 

The Bulldogs took advantage of a bad punt snap for their second score. After downing the punter at the Tiger’s 10-yard line, Pautskis found Cobb in the back right corner of the end zone and a 14-0 lead with 11:09 on the clock. The Tigers struck back on their next possession with a 57-yard run to cut the lead to 14-7. After a penalty on the kickoff, the Dogs next drive started from their own 5-yard line. Junior Will Martin broke loose for a 70-yard run on first down.  Two plays later, senior wideout Lacy Rice beat double coverage and Pautskis found him for a 25-yard touchdown reception.

 

The Tigers were driving again when Cherilus made a diving interception at the Bulldog’s 30-yard line.  Three plays later Pautskis and Cherilus connected for a 44-yard catch and run to the Jackson-Reed three. Senior Mark Oesterle blasted up the middle for a touchdown on the next play and a 28-7 STA lead with 1:28 left in the half. The Bulldog defense closed out the half with a sack, fumble and scoop and score. With Jackson-Reed facing third and long from their own 26, senior Rezin Wiegmann split the center and guard to sack the quarterback and stripped the ball on the way to the ground. Sophomore Connor Mitchell picked up the loose ball at the 16 and took it to paydirt to give the Dogs a 35-7 halftime lead.

 

Jackson-Reed found the end zone early in the third quarter and junior Chris Solomon blocked the extra point for a 35-13 STA lead. Later in the quarter Cherilus broke through three tackles on a 17-yard touchdown run to make it 42-13 with 1:41 left in the third. The Tigers scored a late touchdown and converted the two-point conversion with 1:22 left for a final score of 42-21.

 

St. Albans hosts Saint John Paul The Great this Saturday at 2pm. The Wolves are 1-2 on the season and are coming off a 21-13 win over Sidwell Friends.