The Alternative Press

PATERSON, NJ - The Kennedy Knights overcame a tenacious effort by the Fair Lawn Cutters with a fourth quarter comeback for a 27-17 victory at Bauerle Field in Paterson on Saturday.

The Fair Lawn Cutters drew blood, first going ahead early in the match-up of the cross county rivals. After scoring early in the first quarter the Cutters played to their strengths and the Knights weaknesses. Cutters senior quarterback Kevin Osback repeatedly took advantage of the fact that the Knights’ defense was playing off the ball, giving him room to throw short passes for completions.

The Knights defense bent, but it didn’t break in the first half, keeping Kennedy in the game while the offense struggles. Everyone stepped in on the defensive front and came up with big stops to help thwart some of the momentum the Cutters were building. Led by senior Jordan Henry, who amassed a few big-time sacks, the Knights linebacking corps of Ramier Rivera, Andre Gillard, and Rodney Anthony, the Knights defense repeatedly came up with big plays.

The Cutters went into locker room with a 10-0 lead after their kicker nailed a field goal with 24 seconds left in the second quarter.

Knights coach Ron Jackson spiced up the play calling on the second half with a few option plays and he used the wildcat formation a few times. It worked. The Knights started moving the ball more efficiently. Riding the shoulders of junior running back Shaon Stephenson, the Knights started to move the chains with far more regularity than they had in the first half.

After running the wildcat with Stephenson under snap, the Knights moved the ball well into Cutters territory in the third quarter. On the Knights’ second possession on first and goal from the Cutters’ 10 yard line, running back Shaon Stephenson would put the Knights on the scoreboard map with a touchdown run.

Stephenson was only getting started.

Following an electrifying 50 yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Rashon Ison to junior Greg Oliver, Stephenson would go on to score two more touchdowns. One was from the 1 yard line on a 4^th and goal touchdown run, which was followed by Oliver high stepping his way to a successful two-point conversion.

Then, on a huge sack by Henry, Stephenson would run back an interception 31 yards for a touchdown.

That put the Knights up 27-17 and the large contingency of Cutters fans headed home with 47 seconds left in regulation. The Cutters would get off one running play to no avail with Knights defense putting a stamp on this game.

Kennedy is now 2-1 on the season.

Game Note: There was one scary moment in the contest. At 2:01 in the second quarter, an injured Cutters player had to be carted off the field after a hard hit. Both teams took the respectful knee.

The later report was that he suffered a minor concussion.