Freshman football team crushes Penn Wood, collects first win

Archbishop Carroll’s freshman football team had their first win of the season Monday against Penn Wood High School, 44-0.

The team started off hot, scoring on their first offensive drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Marcel Sanders to Xavier Johnson. The scoring did not stop there as the Patriots would go on to score five more touchdowns while having a defensive shutout, holding Penn Wood to zero points.

After losing two games and having tied one, it seemed like a win was due.

“We really focused on discipline and being better conditioned for this week since we don’t have great numbers,” coach Tom Murphy said. “We have gotten better each week and we really showed just how good we are when we are assignment perfect.”

A dynamic rushing attack lead by Xavier Johnson, Semai Hurst, John Thompson, John Barber Jr, and James Davin, along with a high-powered air attack led by Marcel Sanders, Johnson, and Hurst were what created a majority of the points.

“Honestly this win will build our chemistry and our confidence,” said Sanders, the quarterback. “Our team has so much talent and after getting our first win I truly believe no team can beat us.” 

Sanders finished the game with 143 yards passing and a touchdown.

“The conditioning during practice along with tightening up our schedule definitely helped lead us to a win,” said Johnson, the wide receiver. “Our whole team really was focused this week, and it just feels like the team has come a long way.” 

Johnson had an incredible performance, accumulating for 164 yards rushing and 43 yards receiving along with two touchdowns.

The performance could not have been completed without a great game plan by freshman offensive coordinator Jerry Coia, and a great defensive strategy by defensive coordinator Mike Burke.