By PAUL GOTHAM
IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. — Alex DeRosa expected to run the play in the opposite direction. Cameron Thompson wanted a few more yards on the reception. Head coach Mike Stumpf was happy for a sustained drive.
And the Webster Schroeder Warriors picked up an opening night win.
Clinging to a one-touchdown lead and deep in opposing territory, DeRosa took the snap out of a shotgun formation at the 11-yard line and rolled to his right.
“It was supposed to go to the left,” DeRosa said of the original play call. “There was pressure coming left, so I rolled out. Cam did a fantastic job moving with me. He’s one of the best at doing that, finding space.”
The senior quarterback looked left and threaded a pass between a pair of defenders to Thompson.
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“I got jammed up at the line,” Thompson explained. “Once I found clear space, I saw Alex.”
Thompson’s reception set up a first and goal at the three-yard line.
Alex DeRosa to Cameron Thompson sets up first and goal. pic.twitter.com/pHoW8JRDCb
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 3, 2021
“I wanted to be in the end zone, but he kinda caught me at the left hash,” Thompson said while laughing. “I wanted to score so badly. I got tackled inside the five two times tonight.”
Two plays later, DeRosa busted through to the end zone. After a successful point-after attempt, Schroeder had all the points needed on its way to a 16-13 victory over Irondequoit in the 2021 season opener for both teams.
“I was looking for him the whole time, but he did a great job of knowing that I was going right and rolled with me,” DeRosa said of his teammate. “That was a great job by him.”
DeRosa’s touchdown capped a 13-play, 77-yard drive to open the second half.
“It took a lot longer than expected,” Stumpf said of the drive that lasted nearly seven minutes. “It wound up working out. Thank God it took as long as it did because as you saw at the end of the game they (Irondequoit) ran out of time. Who knows what would have happened had they got that ball back. We’re fortunate that that third quarter drive a good chunk of the clock away. We were really pumped to score for sure.”
DeRosa completed four passes on the drive and rushed five times for 34 yards. He finished the night 18 of 23 through the air for 207 yards while carrying the ball 25 times for 135 yards.
“There are a lot of kids that have worked hard throughout the history of our program,” Stumpf said of his signal caller. “He’s one of those kids who’s in the upper echelon of hard workers especially playing the position he plays. Being a quarterback, you have to be a leader naturally.”
DeRosa completed passes to five different receivers in the game.
“He knows what he should do based upon what the defense is doing,” Stumpf added. “We never like to predetermine, but he has a good idea based on what they’re showing and where the ball has a good chance of going during the play.”
Schroeder stopped Irondequoit three-and-out on the game’s opening drive. The Warriors proceeded to go 60 yards in 12 plays. Kaleb Juliano scored from two yards out to give Schroeder a lead it never surrendered.
“It’s always good to get the first one for sure,” Stumpf said of the win.
Thompson made four catches for 76 yards including a 46-yard reception on third and 11. That play set up a Thompson field goal and 16-0 Schroeder advantage.
3rd and 11 Alex DeRosa to Cameron Thompson. pic.twitter.com/ov5rZnoc4l
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 3, 2021
“That wound up being the difference in the game,” Stumpf said DeRosa and Thompson’s combination on the crucial sequence. “We left too many points on the field to be honest.”
Irondequoit’s Erik Barr and Mekhi Christensen connected on a 30-yard strike to get the Eagles on the scoreboard with 8:45 remaining in the game. The ensuing two-point conversion failed and Irondequoit trailed 16-6.
4th and 19 from the 50 Erik Barr to Corey Freeman pic.twitter.com/k60JfNNLHM
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 4, 2021
The Eagles’ defense held on the next possession, and Barr led the offense on a 13-play, 78-yard drive to cut the deficit to three with 1:59 left in the game.
Barr finished 12 of 18 through the air for 178 yards. The junior also scored a touchdown.
Schroeder’s Torance Washington made five catches for 41 yards. Jason Leonardo was five for 42 yards. Jaiden Barrett and Juliano made one reception apiece.
Alex DeRosa to Cameron Thompson sets up first and goal. pic.twitter.com/pHoW8JRDCb
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 3, 2021
Tabor Sirianni led the Schroeder defense with six tackles including five unassisted. Nick DiStefano added four solo tackles. DeRosa had four tackles including two solos to go with three pass break-ups. John Maier chipped in with three solo tackles an assist and one pass break-up. Juliano had a sack and a solo tackle. Ben Cook had a sack and a hurry. Zain Khan added a sack, a hurry, two solo tackles and an assist on another.
Schroeder hosts Gates-Chili next Friday. Irondequoit plays at Penfield.
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