By Kyle LoJacono
The Steinbrenner football team recorded the first shutout in the program’s three-year history by winning 28-0 at Strawberry Crest on Sept. 16.
The victory moves the Warriors to 2-1 on the season, giving them a winning record for the first time ever, but Steinbrenner coach Floyd Graham knows the squad needs to clean up its mistakes to reach its potential.
“I think we can play a whole lot better than what we did,” Graham said. “We had a couple of touchdowns called back because of penalties. If we’re going to compete in our district we can’t do that.
“We had way too many punts, way too many penalties and the penalties came at the wrong time,” Graham continued. “We gave them an automatic first down on defense when it was third and 18; we ran into the punter and gave them another first down. Those things cannot happen.”
The Warriors defense has allowed just 24 points in its first three games, music to Graham’s ears.
“I’m a big believer in winning on D,” Graham said. “We expect to win with defense, special teams and ball control. Against Crest the defense played outstanding.”
Steinbrenner got on the board when running back Kendall Pearcey raced 94 yards for a touchdown on a sweep play.
“I was really proud of Pearcey because last year he got a concussion against Crest and never really bounced back,” Graham said. “Then the first time he touched the ball against them this year he goes 94 yards for a touchdown and scores in the same end zone he got the concussion last year.”
Running back Jake Carroll had scoring catches of 45 and 34 yards from quarterback Curtis Fitch. Wide receiver Zack Jones also had a 5-yard touchdown run.
Graham said he was happy with the 2-minute offense, as the team was able to complete an 80-yard touchdown drive that began with 1:14 left in the first half to go into the locker room up 14-0.
The Warriors will host Class 7A-District 7 rival Freedom on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
