By PAUL GOTHAM
Moe Jackson didn’t have a complicated scheme or explanation for his squad’s defensive effort, Friday night.
After a suffocating performance in the second half, Jackson’s response was straightforward.
“Football is basic,” the second-year head coach said. “You just have to play football. I hope I’m not giving away my secret, but when you need to stop a running back, you got to set the edge. That’s it. That’s the answer.”
And Jackson’s Aquinas Li’l Irish followed that blueprint in a 21-2 victory over University Preparatory Charter School For Young Men (UPrep).
For the final 24 minutes of game action, Aquinas did not allow a first down. Aquinas defenders intercepted a pair of passes, and the offense pulled away from a one-possession game.
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With Syracuse University commit, Quante Gillians anchoring the front line, Aquinas did not let UPrep get inside its 40-yard line for the final two quarters.
“Our defense is good,” Jackson said. “We have players. We have four linebackers behind Quante that are really good. We lean on them. They know what I want from them, what I expect from them.”
The Li’l Irish defense stopped UPrep at the one-yard line on fourth and goal in the second quarter.
Coming out of the locker room for the third quarter, the Li’l Irish defense flexed its collective muscles with a three-and-out to give the offense possession.
“They know they are the catalysts for this team, and they got to get it done. Those four guys with Q in front of them is what is going to take us.”
Sophomore quarterback Trent Buttles and the offense did the rest.
Buttles found Alexis Rosado in the back of the end zone on fourth down for a 14-2 lead with 5:55 remaining in the game.
Following a Tano Auriuso interception at UPrep’s 20-yard line, AQ needed four plays to add another touchdown. Jeffery Logan III scampered into the end zone from four yards out for the final margin of victory.
With the win, Aquinas improved to 2-0 on the season.
“We’re confident,” Jackson said. “The guys got a year under their belts with my system now and they believe in it. They embrace it and they love it.”
Buttles completed 16-of-22 passes for 201 yards including touchdowns passes of 42 and 15 yards.
“He’s the hardest worker we’ve got, by far,” Jackson said of the sophomore signal caller. “On top of that, he wants it so bad. He knows his ability, and he won’t be denied. The kid is just tough, tough inside and out. We feed off him, and he’s a great leader.”
First down from the 42, Trent Buttles airs it out to Thomas Levans III for a TD. PAT is good: @AQ_football 7 @UprepFball 0 pic.twitter.com/6tzUMiFqOR
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 13, 2024
Trent Buttles buys time and finds Derrion Battle for a first down. @AQ_football driving with 7:32 to go in fourth. pic.twitter.com/fSJyBOPJkS
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 13, 2024
Fourth and 13 from the 15, Trent Buttles rolls out and finds Alexis Rosado in the back of the end zone. PAT is good. @AQ_football 14-2 with 5:52 remaining. pic.twitter.com/kVryXlHD8L
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 13, 2024
After a Gaetano Auriuso interception, @AQ_football needs four plays, Jeffery Logan III finds paydirt from four yards out. Irish 21-2. pic.twitter.com/fGyv57Aspj
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 13, 2024
Buttles was at his best on the touchdown pass to Rosado. After having a field goal blocked earlier in the quarter, the Li’l Irish went for it on fourth-and-13 from the 15-yard line. He eluded the UPrep rush then found Rosado alone in the back of the end zone.
“We wanted some verticals on that play,” Buttles explained. “Two safeties were over, so we didn’t have it. I just had to make a play. I rolled out, found my guy. He knows what he’s doing.”
For Buttles and his teammates, the win took on special meaning.
“After last year, they came here into our house and they blew us out,” he said recalling the 33-7 setback in 203. “That was embarrassing for us. We thought about that all off-season. This was a game marked on the calendar.”
Coming off a 36-0 win over Bishop Timon/St. Jude from Buffalo’s Monsignor Martin Athletic Association in Week 1, Aquinas has not allowed a touchdown yet this season.
“We feel like we have the best defensive coaching staff and best overall coaching staff in Section V,” Gillians said. “We trust them wholeheartedly.
“It starts with the coaches. It starts with Coach Bill (Harmon), Coach (Alex) Ruta and Coach Moe. It trickles down from there. Nobody on the team thought we were going to lose this game. We trusted our coaches. We trusted each other. We knew we were going to win this game.”
Gillians finished with five tackles and a sack on the night. Lucas Leone led the defense with 10 tackles – two for a loss. CJ Flaherty had eight tackles and an interception. Auriuso accounted for six tackles and a pick. Buttles also had an interception to go with four tackles.
“It’s a testament to the hard work they put in and them wanting to be winners,” Jackson said. “We’re getting it done in a bunch of different areas.
On offense, Thomas Levans made five catches for 80 yards. Rosado had six grabs for 60 yards. Derrion Battle had three catches for 42 yards.
UPrep’s Tavion Byrd completed 10-of-23 passes for 86 yards. CJ Robinson rushed the ball 13 times for 65 yards. Jayvon Johnson made seven catches for 66 yards. Kamari finished with a team-high eight tackles including two for a loss. Miller had one sack and he made the play that led to a safety and UPrep’s only points for the night. Ja’yvion Sampson returned the kickoff after the safety 53 yards to the Aquinas 22-yard line.
Aquinas travels to play at Fairport next Saturday. A 3 p.m. kickoff is scheduled.
UPrep (0-2), a sectional finalist in Class AA a year ago, will host Pittsford next Friday for a 7 p.m. start time.
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