The start to the 2013 football season was uncharacteristically slow for the Staples Wreckers. A loss to Xavier was followed by a nail-biting win over a very average Wilton team on Homecoming.
However, the last two games have been vastly different, both resulting in blowout victories in Stamford. First, a week ago against Westhill, then Friday night against the Stamford Black Knights, prevailing by a score of 41-14. The victory improved their record to 3-1, and 3-0 in the FCIAC.
The reason for the Wreckers’ recent run?
Patrick Lesch.
Lesch ’14, one of the four captains, had two receiving touchdowns against Westhill, then had one of the best performances this season in the FCIAC. He racked up 254 rushing yards and three scores versus Stamford, including a 48 yarder on 4th down late in the 1st quarter.
“We were able to have so much success running the ball because the offensive line was playing really well and opening up big holes for us,” Lesch said. “And the coaches were making great play calls.”
Jack Greenwald ’14 also made an impact in the run game, taking the offense down the field almost entirely on his own on one drive in the 3rd, before punching it in himself from the 3-yard line. Greenwald, who also had a big game on defense at safety, with several touchdown-saving tackles, nonetheless was quick to credit Lesch for the team’s strong performance.
“All we had to do was get Patrick the ball, and he did the rest,” Greenwald said. “He looked as explosive as ever tonight, and as usual broke a lot of long runs.”
But the play of the game, beyond any doubt, was on a pass from captain and quarterback Jack Massie ’14. Massie through a deep ball down the right sideline, to Teddy Coogan ’15, the backup gunslinger, who’s recently seen extended action at wide receiver. Coogan made an incredible one handed catch, then ran it into the end zone to finish off the 60 yard touchdown.
Massie’s other passing touchdown went to captain Will Johnson ’14, from 44 yards out, late in the 3rd.
The game was a bit closer than the score revealed, at least early on; three first half fumbles stopped three Staples possessions, and the score was just 21-14 at halftime. Stamford running back Kameron Webb had both scores for the Black Knights, the first of which coming on a 68 yard scamper.
But Webb had to leave the game for several series in the 2nd half with an injury, and by the time he returned, the game was out of reach. He also had two long runs, one of which would have been a touchdown, called back because of Stamford penalties.
Linebacker Jack Mendillo ’15 clinched the win, with his second interception of the game, early in the final period.
The next game for Staples is Friday at 7:00 p.m. under the lights at home against Fairfield Ludlowe.
“Looking forward, we’re just taking it one week at a time; we didn’t really put it all together earlier in the season,” Greenwald admitted. “We’re just looking to continue playing as a team, and playing for each other.”