 |
| Africentric and St. Francis look to remain undefeated in this week three three-matchup. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
RJ Day Jr. put on a master class after a rough first quarter to end the night 16-19 for 272 yards and five touchdowns.
In the first quarter, DeSales struggled on its first two possessions, coming up short and giving the ball back to Africentric, which would score on a 3-yard run by Josh Smith with 8:03 left, putting Africentric ahead 6-0 following an unsuccessful 2-point conversion attempt. This would be the only eventful moment in the first quarter.
The second quarter would be all RJ Day Jr. as he would see a streaking Dax Middleton up the sideline en route to a 51-yard touchdown, and then Blake Donnaly would intercept a pass that set up a touchdown for him after a short drive with 3:58 left on the clock to take the lead 14-6. Africentric put together a drive to the DeSales 10-yard line and fumbled the run attempt by Josh Smith to be scooped up by Dax Middleton with just under a minute left in the half.
"That's a really good football team over there. It took us a couple quarters to settle in," said Day Jr.
 |
| DeSales wide receiver Blake Donnelly catches a pass from RJ Day during the early quarters of the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
During the course of the second half, DeSales managed to maintain control as Day Jr. reached the end zone several more times via passing. Exploiting the weaknesses in Africentric's secondary, he connected with a well-known target throughout the evening, Dax Middleton, at the 3:03 mark of the third quarter, increasing the score to 21-6.
Middleton had 7 catches for 152 yards and 3 TDs for the game.
 |
| Josh Smith (4) looks to elude DeSales' defense during the second quarter. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohfsbmedia.com) |
The fourth quarter would see Africentric move the ball more effectively as they would put up two scores down the stretch of the quarter. Caleb Anthony muscled his way into the end zone for a score with 7:48 remaining in the game to close the gap 12-28 after a failed 2-point conversion.
DeSales receiver and safety Blake Donnelly had two interceptions on the night, finishing with 93 yards and a touchdown. "Big game got me big plays, somebody's got to do it, I was just in the right spot, he said.
 |
| Head Coach Ryan Wiggins talks to his team after a win over Africentric. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
But those two touchdowns would not be enough as DeSales would cruise to a week three win with a very talented quarterback going into their week four matchup against Badin, who defeated Butler County Edgewood to remain undefeated on the season.
For Africentric, they will confront their crosstown rival, Briggs, in an effort to regain their momentum.
.jpg)
