IRVINGTON, NJ – Ashley Pierre had a memorable debut as the Irvington High School head varsity football coach.
The Blue Knights dominated after halftime to defeat Lincoln of Jersey City, 46-24, in the season opener on Friday, Sept. 9, in Jersey City to give Pierre his first victory.
Senior quarterback Jyvon Brown threw for 210 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for 63 yards and a touchdown on seven carries to fuel the Blue Knights, who rallied from a 24-20 halftime deficit. Brown completed 15 of 21 passes.
Al-Nazir Blackmon rushed for 207 yards and two scores on 15 carries and had one reception for 62 yards; senior Muadh “Nim” Salaam carried 12 times for 60 yards; and junior receiver Jashiah Provillon caught five passes for 120 yards and two TDs for IHS.
The Blue Knights’ defense shut out Lincoln in the second half. Senior linebacker Tyhmir Lassiter had 12 tackles, senior end Nelson Gedeon posted eight tackles (two for loss), one sack and one forced fumble; junior end Lance Turay recorded four tackles (two for loss), one sack and one fumble recovery; linebacker Salaam notched eight tackles and one forced fumble; safety Provillon registered four tackles.
The Blue Knights led 20-16 at the end of the first quarter, but Lincoln rallied to take a 24-20 lead at the half. The Blue Knights, though, scored 26 unanswered points in the third quarter and maintained control the rest of the way to earn the victory.
Irvington and Lincoln are part of the newly-formed 113-team North Jersey Super Football Conference (NJSFC). The teams are in different divisions.
Pierre was proud of his team, but the focus remains to take things week-by-week.
A day after the game, Pierre said that the team is “taking everything week-by-week, quarter-by-quarter, play-by-play. Just making sure we get closer as a team and make sure we continue to pay attention to detail.”
The Blue Knights will host West Orange on Friday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. in a NJSFC Liberty Blue Division game. West Orange lost to Union City, 20-0, in its season opener on Sept. 9.
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