Landri and Kelly Begin New Era at St. Joe’s

The St. Joe’s Marauders opened up the 2016 football season at All High Stadium with a new coach and quarterback. Derek Landri who took over for Dennis Gilbert made his St. Joe’s head coaching debut along with Casey Kelly, a sophomore. Who is also the nephew of Jim the former Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame QB and the younger brother of Chad, who also played QB at St. Joe’s and is now a Heisman hopeful at Ole Miss.

The Marauders opened up against South Park, fresh off becoming the first Buffalo public school to win the state football title in 2015. Heading into this week the Sparks had an off the field controversy surrounding one of their former players. With less than a week before the season was to begin, first team All-Western New York lineman Jeremiah Sanders transferred to Bishop Timon, leaving the Sparks scrambling. You could tell early on (and often) that replacing Sanders on the offensive line was going to be a tough task.

The Sparks lost the coin toss and St. Joe’s elected to receive the opening kick-off. This initially proved to be disastrous as the Marauders fumbled the kick. South Park recovered deep in St. Joe’s territory. Senior QB Nick Schaefer and his newly assembled line had issues out of the gate. Bad snaps, off-sides you name it. The Marauders defense capitalized.

Both teams traded punts and penalties for much of the 1st half. Midway through the second Kelly began to take control of the Joe’s offense. His first completion of the day was a 12-yard strike to Hunter Dimitroff. On this play Kelly was in the process of being sacked when he hurled the football downfield to Dimitroff who made the catch. Once Kelly completed that pass he settled in and found some rhythm.

On the very next drive, Joe’s started at their own five-yard line. Kelly led them down the field with several short passes and a nice long run by Jaden Lofton that would help set up the game’s first TD. Kelly put Joe’s on the board at just past the five-minute mark, giving the Marauders a 6-0 lead. South Park blocked the extra point attempt.

In the 3rd quarter the St. Joe’s offense really began to shine. Lofton (a sophomore) and fellow running back (Sr) Naseer Jackson started to pick up some impressive runs. Lofton rushed for 90 yards on 9 carries and Jackson finished with 75 yards on 15 carries and had another 56 yards receiving. Jackson scored Joe’s 2nd TD, a short run that gave the Marauders a 14-0 lead (thanks to a successful 2pt conversion).

St Joe’s scored another TD early in the 4th quarter, this time Lofton got into the end zone with his own short-yardage run.

The South Park offense finally put a score on the board when Shakur Harris broke through the Marauder line and scored on a 62-yard TD run. The 2pt conversion try failed. However, on the ensuing kick-off, South Park recovered an onsides kick, briefly swinging the momentum.

The St. Joe’s defense responded and forced the Sparks into a quick 3-and-out. Soon after Lofton struck again, this time with a 24- yard TD run that really put this game away.

South Park added a TD late for a final score of 29-12.

The St. Joe’s defense was led by Senior Mike Motley who recorded 8 tackles and 2 sacks. Juniors Nick Julian and Charlie Neisur had 2 sacks each as well. The Marauders defense gave up just 216 yards with a bulk of those yards coming off of two plays in the 4th quarter. The TD run by Harris and then a 40-yard completion by Schaefer which eventually led to the game’s final score. A 10-yard TD reception by Latrell London.

Kelly’s finished 15-22 for 129 yards, a rushing TD, and converted a pass for a two-point conversion. The Marauders offense had 317 yards of total offense.

“I’m just really happy with the way our whole team played, our defense was awesome” a smiling Kelly said after the game. “Nas and Jaden man, just awesome” he added. Kelly looked comfortable from the start. He did not look like a sophomore making his first start for a private school such as St. Joe’s. In addition to his 129 passing yards he rushed for 55. Kelly can move and he proved that with two excellent rushes that went for first downs. The Marauders will be a real threat this season and are very well balanced. Left off several pre-season polls, it’s apparent now that the Marauders are back.

“Our defense played unbelievable” coach Landri said. “Were not where we need to be but we’re close”. “We have some decent depth in certain areas and were going to give them the chance to make plays”.

Coach Delaney from South Park offered up no excuses in the loss. “We had a number of positive plays, we just have to limit the mistakes” adding “We did have to shuffle our line, that’s not an excuse that’s just a fact. I’m sure there were a little bit of nerves, hopefully now we have that out of the way.” His quarterback Schaefer was under pressure for most of the game and was hobbling off the field. “He’s a tough kid, he’ll be alright” the coach said.

Final Score: 29-12 St. Joe’s

Next Week: St. Joe’s (1-0) hosts Monsignor Farrell (Staten Island) and South Park (0-1) will host Hamburg at All-High.