Page One

The St. Mary’s High football team used big plays on offense and special teams to maul the Albany High Cougars, 43-17, on Saturday, leaving the Panthers as one of just two teams without a loss in Bay Shore Athletic League play. 

Sophomore quarterback Scott Tully threw touchdown passes of 73 and 64 yards in the second quarter and the Panthers blocked a punt for a touchdown in the same period to jump out to a 29-0 lead. 

Albany managed a field goal just before halftime to get on the scoreboard, but St. Mary’s answered right back with two more touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Albany converted two Panther turnovers into scores late in the game. 

“That was a complete team effort,” St. Mary’s head coach Jay Lawson said. “We had a little problem taking care of the football late in the game, but it didn’t hurt us too much.” 

Lawson’s club started strong, forcing a three-and-out on Albany’s opening drive. After a punt, St. Mary’s (4-2-1, 2-0 BSAL) embarked on a nine-play drive that ate nearly five minutes off the clock and ended with a three-yard score by tailback Steve Murphy. 

Tully turned in an impressive performance in his second varsity start, completing 6-of-9 passes for 192 yards, although he did throw an interception just before halftime. His best throw of the game was a 64-yard bomb to wide receiver Ryan Coogler on the first play of the second quarter. Coogler went down hard in the end zone on the play and sat out the rest of the game with concussion symptoms. 

“It’s a lot easier knowing I’m going to start the game going in,” Tully said. “I can spend the time before the game getting mentally prepared for the first drive.” 

After the St. Mary’s defense forced a punt, Tully hit fullback Fred Hives on a play-action pass, with the junior turning the short pass into a 73-yard touchdown down the right sideline for a 22-0 lead. Hives also ran for a team-high 107 yards and two touchdowns, apparently over the fumble-itis that cost him the starting tailback job earlier in the season. 

The Panthers ran for 194 yards, with nine runs of more than 10 yards. Lawson credited his offensive line for the strong ground effort. 

“Our line was blowing open some huge holes,” Lawson said. “There were plays where our running backs didn’t get touched until they were five or 10 yards downfield.” 

The St. Mary’s special teams came up with the next big play, with defensive end Nick Osborne blocking an Albany punt and linebacker Matt Hurley recovering in the end zone for a touchdown. Albany’s only score of the first half was a 37-yard field goal by Garin Hecht as time expired. 

Hives would score on runs of 29 and 12 yards in the third quarter, and the Panthers cruised from there with several reserves getting extended playing time. Albany did manage to convert two St. Mary’s fumbles into scores in the fourth quarter, with Hecht throwing touchdown passes to Tommy Coble and Zeine Gamal. Hecht was pressed into service with usual starter Harold Lueders sidelined with an injury, and he struggled in the first half, missing on all 10 of his pass attempts. The only ball that didn’t hit the ground was in interception by St. Mary’s defensive back Alexander Keyes.