WASHINGTON, D.C. — After the 49-30 win over Jones (Fla.) on Saturday, Joe Casamento couldn’t help but to be critical of his team. He let the young Cadets know they gave a good effort, but only good enough for a B-plus. Outplaying the Fightin’ Tigers wasn’t enough, Casemento said. You have to make hustle plays and step on the opponents necks when the opportunity presents itself.
“That’s just me,” Casamento said. “That’s where we’re at.”
Nonetheless, No. 3 St. John’s picked up all-important win number in the 2017 season. The debut of quarterback Kevin Doyle, formerly from Malvern Prep in Pennsylvania, couldn’t have gone much better. The 6-foot-4 quarterback threw for three touchdowns and added 12 yards on the ground in a solid performance.
“When [my receivers] perform it makes my job so much easier,” Doyle said. “I say I’m like the fifth guy on the Golden State Warriors, I just dish it to them. Give them the rock and let them work.”
The trio of Keilan Robinson, Ron Cook and Quienton Johnson spearheaded the rushing attack. Robinson lead the way with a pair of touchdowns, including an explosive 25-yard run that gave the Cadets a 34-18 lead late in the third quarter.
However, the biggest contribution of the day may came from Johnson, the junior receiver and safety. Along with his rushing touchdown, Johnson reeled in two receiving touchdowns. In his final act of the day he displayed his athleticism in an acrobatic 30-yard connection from Doyle in the middle of the end zone.
“It’s not about the touchdowns,” Johnson said. “Just try to close them out to the best of out ability. It’s more about putting them away and never letting off the gas.”
After an encouraging start to the season, Casamento and the Cadets are aware of how much they need to improve in order to rise in the national ranks. The upcoming contest versus a perennial beast in De La Salle High School, which churned out NFL alumni Maurice Jones-Drew, TJ Ward and T.J. Carrie, will be the toughest test the Cadets will face all season.
“Like I was telling these kids, if we can beat De La Salle that’s a dream in itself right there,” Casamento said ” The next four teams we play, they’re all great, but we got a chance to be great too. That’s what’s exciting about this.”
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