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St. Augustine Prep defeated St. Joseph Academy by a score of 51-15 on Sept. 1 at St.
Augustine Prep. The Wildcats drop to 0-2 on the season and 0-1 in the West Jersey Football League (WJFL). The Hermits improved to 1-1 on the season and 1-0 in the WJFL.
The running game for the Hermits dominated the first half as they scored four touchdowns, including three by junior running back Julian Turney, finishing with 179 rushing yards. Senior quarterback Ryan Gambill’s lone pass completion was a 14-yard touchdown pass to
sophomore wide receiver Paris Pratt.
The Wildcats couldn’t get anything going after the Hermits jumped out to a 37-0 lead in the first quarter. The Wildcats eventually got on the board, thanks to a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown by senior wide receiver Shane Reed before the end of the first quarter.
“We kind of knew what we were getting into. They [St. Augustine] are a good team and, as we know, they’re well-coached,” St. Joseph coach Ron Dorsey said.
The Wildcats couldn’t stop the Hermits’s running game in the second quarter as touchdown runs by both Turney and junior running back Ty Watson sealed it for the Hermits. The Wildcats would add another touchdown to the board after freshman quarterback Anthony Salamone completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to senior Ismael Cotto, followed by a two-point conversion run by sophomore Matthew Greco.
“Kind of the same thing as last week [against Carteret], where we just dug ourselves a deep hole in the first quarter and weren’t able to stay in the game,” Dorsey said.
The game featured the first matchup between Dorsey, the Wildcats’s first-year head and the Hermits’s seventh-year head coach Pete Lancetta. Dorsey was a former player under Lancetta when Lancetta was the head coach for the Hammonton High School Blue Devils.
“You know I love Coach Pete [Lancetta],” Dorsey said.
“We talked before the game and he had a lot of positive things to say, gave me some encouragement. He knows what we’re up against here at St. Joe and I’m sure we’ll talk again soon. I have nothing but respect for him. He was a big influence on me and a big reason why I’m where I am today,” Dorsey said.
Lancetta was pleased to see his former player on the sidelines but did not enjoy coaching against Dorsey.
“I’m so glad this is over. They’re going through a tough time over there, rebuilding that program and they have a great staff led by Ron. He and I have always been very, very close and we’ve talked a lot. I have nothing but respect for him and his family and he knows I’ll always have time to talk to him and help him any way I can,” Lancetta said.
The Wildcats next matchup is at home at the Holy Spirit High School Spartans (2-0) on September 8 at 6 p.m.
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