Usually in week five of a football season, there isn’t a lot of statement games, but in the PSAL, when only nine games are played, week five might as well be the home stretch.
That was the mindset of the Canarsie-New Utrecht game this past Friday, as both teams came in reeling after tough week four losses to their respective archrivals.
In a game that both teams needed desperately to define the course of their respective seasons, the Chiefs came out and proved that last season’s first runner-up was no fluke with a 20-6 win over the Utes, improving their record to 3-2.
Without a single point scored in the opening quarter, the scoring commenced with Canarsie RB Steven Rene marching in from 9 yards out to put the Chiefs up 6-0 after an incomplete 2-point conversion attempt.
After a stalled New Utrecht drive, Rene would strike yet again. This time, the feature back had a 6-yard touchdown run followed by a 2-point conversion reception by WR Juan Torres for a 14-0 lead.
But New Utrecht answered before the half as WR Matthew Carona caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from QB Imron Bakarat to slice the deficit to 14-6 following a missed 2-point conversion shot.
Like the first quarter, the third quarter did not yield any scoring, but the fourth quarter was exactly an offensive showcase rather it was about running the ball. The Chiefs spent 5:56 of the clock with a 13-play drive that stretched from their own 20-yard line to the Utes’ 28 yard line.
With 2:04 remaining, New Utrecht started on their own 26-yard line, and it would prove to be disastrous as Barakat threw an interception caught by DE Winston Langdon, who ran it in for another Chiefs’ score and dug a 20-6 lead after a failed 2-point conversion.
“This was a statement game, after what had happened last week,” said Chiefs RB Steven Rene. “We don’t want to lose until the end of the season. I just to go to the [PSAL Championship game].”
Falcons RB Ikeem Williams rushed for a season-high 285 yards on 26 carries and 3 touchdowns while, on defense, LB Jasper Kelly made a team-high 13 tackles.
Midwood WR Donovan Bleus caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from QB Colin Hannay and Daniel Georges got a safety to account for all of the Hornets’ offense.
Kangaroos RB Michael Alexander had 10 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown, but it was not enough for a win. QB Evan Rugel hooked up with WR Ishon Mitchell for a touchdown reception.
Sharks RB Devon Jordan rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, Jordan ran back an 82-yard punt return for another Sharks score. RB Ayo Ishola had 6 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Railsplitters QB Andrew Vital completed 11 of 15 passes for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns. While running the ball, Vital had 23 rushes for 196 yards and 3 touchdowns for Lincoln’s first victory of the season.
Dutchmen RB Kristen Liverpool had 11 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns en route to Erasmus’ third victory of the season. RB Jauvan John and RB Leroy Wells each had a running touchdown in the win.
Tigers QB Frank Laino passed for two touchdowns, both to WR Levon Williams, and 69 yards. While using his legs, Laino rushed for another two scores to keep Fort Hamilton’s record untouched at 5-0, Brooklyn’s only undefeated squad.
