Gilman Shuts Down Georgetown Prep

Sophomore running back Darius Jennings of Gilman finds a way to score at the end of the first half.  (Kyle Knopp)

By: Jeremy Wolff

It was a bittersweet victory for Coach Biff Poggi and the Greyhounds as they ran all over Georgetown Prep (2-1) for the 21-0 triumph.

It took nearly an entire half for Gilman (3-0) to score the first points of what was a sloppy but entertaining game. Sophomore Darius Jennings took the handoff from the seven-yard line on a counter run and stumbled his way into the end zone to break the scoreless tie with 51 seconds remaining in the half.

The Greyhounds continued to run the ball through out the game. Senior quarterback David Emala repeatedly scrambled like a running back, disregarding that he was allowed to throw the ball.

Gilman didn't try stretching the field, until a nice hook up between Emala and senior wide receiver Marcus Holman resulted in a 24-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

However, the game was not about Gilman’s offense but rather their defense. The Georgetown offense failed to gain the red-zone the entire game.

“We have a good front line, we stop the run, and we have active linebackers,” Poggi said. “Our defense is really tough.”

The suffocating Gilman defense did everything right. They clogged the middle, deflected passes, and put pressure on Georgetown junior quarterback Jack Schryber.

In Spite of the shut out, Poggi was not all smiles after the game. He addressed how his offense was one-dimensional. Had it not been for a stellar game from his defense the game could have been completely different.

Georgetown Prep was given multiple opportunities to regain momentum and to even make it a more competitive game due to Gilman’s astonishing 12 penalties.

“12 penalties is just ridiculous. In a high school football game that is like 30 percent of the plays,” said Poggi.

Coach Poggi, although pleased with the win, was not content with how his boys played. He expects a better effort from the team against Bergen Catholic from New Jersey on September 27th.

Georgetown Prep will try to rebound from their defeat when they play Mt. St. Joes on the 27th as well.

Posted September 23, 2008