Photos by Steve Ellmore: EOCHS Jaguars (red uniforms) vs. Paterson Kennedy, Sept. 30.
EAST ORANGE, NJ (corrected Tuesday Oct. 3, 11:39 a.m.) – The East Orange Campus High School football team lost to Paterson Kennedy, 27-8, Saturday afternoon, Sept. 30, for their first loss of the season to fall to 3-1.
The Jaguars came into Week 4 as the heavy favorites for their game against the Knights of Paterson Kennedy. Kennedy had won its last two games after dropping the season opener to Dickinson High School in a nailbiter. The Knights were coming to Robeson Stadium with a chip on their shoulders after East Orange rolled over them last season.
The Knights didn’t waste time with the introductions as they took the opening play to the house 60 yards by RB Azmir Ivy. The Jaguars had their hands full against the Knights’ defense, led by DB Yazier Francis. The Knights played keep away from the Jaguars’ potent attack by forcing them to punt on almost every possession.
The Knights struck again in the second quarter after being pinned in by an 84-yard punt by East Orange punter Rady Rojas. They drove from their own 3-yard line, eating up large chunks of yardage with their bruising running game that saw Ivy and QB Evelon Babbs combine for 216 yards on 17 attempts. Ivy would carry the bulk of the load with 11 rushes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Babbs would take the Knights into the half with a 3-yard dive into the house to extend Kennedy’s lead to 14-0.
East Orange’s Quadir Scott had a rough outing, although he managed to avoid a complete shutout late in the game. He completed six passes on 16 attempts for 133 yards and one touchdown. Among his passing attempts, he had three interceptions, which included a Kennedy pick 6.
“We are looking to making the necessary adjustments this week as we look to take on Montclair,” said East Orange head coach Rae Oliver. “This was an early challenge that we were not prepared for, but it only gave us something to bounce back from.”
Scott was picked off twice in the end zone to be thwarted from scoring and putting the pressure on the Knights. “We knew they had a very athletic team and stopping their quick-strike ability was our goal,” Paterson Kennedy Head Coach Ron Jackson said. Both coaches agreed the outcome was far from their expectations as East Orange was heavily favored in the game. Kennedy closed the game down with the 27-8 victory over East Orange. Kennedy will go into a bye week to prepare for Clifton.
“It’s officially Montclair Week,” said Oliver. “We are looking forward to the challenge that Montclair will bring this week.” Montclair remained undefeated after 22-7 victory over Union City on Thursday evening, Sept. 28, at Bloomfield’s Foley Stadium. “We are aware of what their capabilities are and we welcome the challenge when they come to play us on Saturday,” stated Oliver as he was referring to Montclair’s potent offensive weapons in RB Daniel Webb and QB Tarrin Earle.
East Orange will face the Mounties this Saturday, Oct. 7, at Paul Robeson Stadium at 1 p.m. The Jaguars will have a bye week before starting the second half of the season on the road at Bloomfield at Foley Field on Friday night, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.
East Orange Campus (3-1)
Sept. 8, Won, Memorial, 20-0
Sept. 16, Won, at Columbia, 20-18
Sept. 23, Won, at Livingston, 26-2
Sept. 30, Loss, Paterson Kennedy, 27-8
Oct. 7, Montclair, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Bloomfield, 7 p.m.
Oct. 28, at Morristown, 1 p.m.
Nov. 4, West Orange, 1 p.m.
Nov. 23, Barringer, 11 a.m.
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