Photo courtesy of SMWC Athletics
SMWC Media Relations
The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods defense dominated for a second straight week, and wide receiver DeVron Johnson made two big plays to the key the offense Saturday in a 44-6 rout of Fontbonne in Midwest Sprint Football League action at Jay Barrett Field.
Johnson finished with four receptions for 137 yards and two scores to lead another productive day for the Pomeroys’ offense.
SMWC’s bid for a second straight shutout ended when Fontbonne found the end zone with 13 seconds remaining, but the Pomeroys forced four turnovers and wreaked havoc on the Griffins’ offense that had averaged 22.5 points in the team’s 2-0 start to the season.
Josh Wence (Sullivan, Ind./Sullivan) intercepted a pass in the second quarter and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown, and Andrew Brown (Vincennes, Ind./Vincennes Lincoln) posted a stat line of two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a forced fumble.
Brown made his debut last week at Oakland City.
“Last week was a little trailer to the movie,” Brown said. “I felt good, felt loose out there. The defense played great today. Anywhere on the field, we’ve got some dogs. We have some of the best players in the league at every position. We’re just getting to the ball.”
SMWC’s defense put the Pomeroys ahead in the opening quarter, pinning Fontbonne inside the five-yard line to force a punt attempt. A bad snap by the Griffins allowed Donovin Cherry (Terre Haute, Ind./Northview) out of the end zone for a safety at the 13:04 mark of the first quarter.
The Pomeroys’ offense got going in a big way in the second quarter. Keandre Jones (El Paso, Texas/Andress) broke free for a 49-yard run. That effort set up Patrick Perea (Amarillo, Texas) for a four-yard TD run. On the ensuing drive, offensive coordinator Trey Powell called the number of wide receiver Devron Johnson (Glen Burnie, Md./Hebron Prep) on a shovel pass and Johnson outran the Griffins’ defense down the sideline to make it 16-0.
On Fontbonne’s first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, Wence got a read on the play to pick off Temaj Taylor and took it to the end zone for a 23-0 Pomeroys’ lead that stood until halftime.
Jeremiah Tosky (El Paso, Texas/Andress), who finished with 260 yards through the air, connected with Johnson with a beautiful pitch and catch down the sideline. He hit Johnson in stride and the 6-foot-175-pound receiver outran the Fontbonne secondary to the end zone.
Fontbonne’s defense keyed on stopping the SMWC running game and coach Blaine Powell knew opportunities would be there for the passing game.
“It takes a little while to crack the code of a defense like that,” Powell said. “Very pleased with how we were patient with it. We didn’t force things that weren’t going to be there. Very pleased with our offense.”
Tosky added a four-yard TD run to cap a 10-play 55-yard drive late in the third quarter. Backup quarterback
Breylin Behme added the final touchdown for the home team with an 11-yard pass to Jones.
SMWC (3-0, 3-0 MSFL) plays host to Bellarmine (3-0, 3-0) for homecoming next Saturday at 4 p.m. at Jay Barrett Field.
Powell expects his players to continue to work to improve.
“These guys come to work every day and get after it. They want more,” Powell said.
