By JOHN LIKANJE
PENFIELD, N.Y. – Penfield’s offense woke up in the second half for 20 points en route to a 23-0 shutout victory over Edison Tech, Thursday night.
On their first drive out of halftime, Thomas Warton II snagged a 10-yard catch on fourth down to set up 1st-and-goal for the Patriots. The senior running back galloped to his left and found paydirt to extend Penfield’s lead to 10-0.
“We made some alignment adjustments, but for the most part, we just kept staying the course,” Penfield head coach Jason Johnson explained. “Our game plan was to keep pressure on them and see if they make mistakes. That’s kind of what happened. We just capitalized on some of the mistakes that they had tonight.”
.@SecVFootball – Edison Tech vs. @PenfieldFootbal: Thomas Warton II 6-yard TD run. 6:44 3Q: Penfield 10 Edison Tech 0. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/m3oTsUhFaV
— John Mitchell Likanje Junior (@jml5798) October 11, 2019
Warton’s touchdown ignited an offense that had sputtered for 75 total yards through the first two quarters. The defense played more sound as well, recovering fumbles on back-to-back drives, including a scoop-and-score by junior Xavier Stock.
“We got some hitters,” Warton said about the defensive line. “Defense is going to keep us in the game the whole rest of the season. It has now and it will.”
“We’ve been preaching since we got here: just get 11 hats to the ball,” Johnson explained. “Do your job. Cover your own gap. Just the hunger of the kids wanting to get to the ball.”
Stock added an interception on the last drive of the game along with his fumble. Junior Manny Anderson recovered a loose ball as well. The Patriots’ defense held the Inventors to 162 total yards throughout the game.
Warton led the offense with 11 carries for 27 yards and a touchdown and a catch for 10 more. Senior Jared Klatt scrambled seven times for 39 yards and a score.
“We give everybody the ball,” Warton said. “I just try to do what’s best for the team when my name is called.”
.@SecVFootball – Edison Tech vs. @PenfieldFootbal: Jared Klatt 5-yard TD run. 4:05 4Q: Penfield 23 Edison Tech 0. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/udlRJDBVLT
— John Mitchell Likanje Junior (@jml5798) October 11, 2019
Penfield swept the season series with Edison Tech downing the Inventors 24-0 in the earlier meeting.
“I think we’re more prepared,” Warton explained. “I think we want it more. Our defense is lockdown. We have a new (defensive coordinator) this year. I think our defense is our toughest aspect by far. I just think we come to play.”
Penfield is averaging 21.8 points per game this season.
For Edison Tech, Ja’mear Stallings led the offense with 13 carries and 90 yards.
Penfield (3-2) gets the weekend off before hosting St. Mary’s (XI) Monday night at 6 p.m.
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