The rain stopped shortly before the opening kickoff. The slick conditions forced Nativity to rely on its rushing attack.The unsung heroes in football are the offensive linemen. Chris Mickey, Aaron Davidson, Aric Foster, Ricky Stone, and Chris Wollyung brought back to life the Green Wave’s lifeless running game this week in a 33-13 win over the Carson Long Warriors in an All-American Football Conference contest Friday night at Saint Clair’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Nativity pounded the rock all night rushing the ball 42 times for 283 yards. Leading this attack was junior tailback Ryan Searle, who touched the the ball 13 times for 97 yards and had a score.
After the game Searle gave all the credit to the offensive line.
“Our line really stepped up,” Searle said. “All of them really stepped up. It really helped us a lot.”
The first possession the Green Wave pounded the ball down the field scoring on a 1- yard Dan Lozada run. Later in the first quarter, Lozada found tight end Jeremy Hoban for a 20-yard score for a 13-0 lead.
On Carson Long’s next possession middle linebacker Aric Foster took his first of two interceptions to the house giving the Green Wave (4-3, 2-0 AAFC) a commanding 19-0 lead.
In the second quarter the Green Wave continued to move the ball on the ground. This time sophomore tailback Marcus Renninger scored on a 4-yard touchdown run. The Green Wave took a 27-0 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Searle spun off defenders and fell into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. The Green Wave led 33-0 after three quarters.
The Warriors (1-6, 0-1) added two late scores, both coming through the air, but it was too little too late as they could not knock off a hot Green Wave.
Nativity has won its last three games and four out of their last five.
This win sets up a crucial AAFC matchup between Pius X (3-4 1-0) and Nativity next Friday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
After the game Renninger discussed some keys to next weeks crucial match up.
“Pius is a tough game for us, but I think if we run the ball and pass good we will come out with the win.”
Searle talked about how the Green Wave will prepare for such a big game this week in practice.
“We’re going to prepare for Pius like every other team no matter when it is we practice hard. I think this three-game win streak is going to boost us a bit. We just can’t get overconfident.”
