Today: Mar 28, 2024

Owls fashion back-to-back landslide victories

Kevin CromptonEditor-in-Chief

Quarterback Matthew Sapere secured his second win as a starter for the Owls in a steam rolling of Saint Anselm, 43-7. Southern, who now sits at 3-2, was unable to complete the shutout as Saint Anselm finally found the end zone on the last play of the game.

Sapere notched a career high 200 passing yards and added two touchdowns through the air. He said carrying his confidence from last week’s win into Saturday’s game led to his success versus Saint Anselm.

“All my teammates had no doubt in me. I had all my teammates backs and they had mine,” said Sapere. “At the end of the day it’s just football. It’s the sport I’ve been playing my whole life and it doesn’t really matter who’s in the jerseys on the other side. As long as we execute on the offensive side and put the ball in the end zone like we did today we’re going to get the results we want.”

 

Sapere worked the ball around to six different receivers, completing touchdown passes to freshman receiver Julian Chung and senior Hunter Fluegel.

“We got a lot of talent,” said Sapere. “We have weapons at every single spot and my offensive line did an amazing job giving me some time today and allowing me to spread the ball around like I wanted to.”

Chung, who has become a security blanket for Sapere connecting on 10 rececptions, 150 yards and a touchdown over the last two games, said he just tries to make his quarterback feel as comfortable as possible.

“At practice good balls or bad balls, we just try to make sure he has his head up and get open for him so he feels comfortable and just move forward,” said Chung.

The passing game was not the only area the Owls found success on Saturday. The two-headed monster was in full effect as running back Eli Parks rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns with Vochan Fowler adding 85 yards and a touchdown of his own on the ground. Freshman Jaylynn Cundiff also found the end zone taking a 50-yard punt return to the house for his first touchdown as an Owl.

Head coach Tom Godek said he was most proud of the way the guys handled themselves during the week and the way they came out and played in the second half.

“It’s a credit to the players who really kept the pedal down the whole way,” said Godek. “You saw those guys running around and making plays and really carrying through the schemes. Very proud of our coaches and players.”

Senior quarterback Matt Sanzaro has been sidelined the last two weeks due to an upper body injury. Godek said he has not heard any update on his status as of Saturday and will have to wait for a report.

“Certainty we would like to get all of our players back,” said Godek. “You can see how we are starting to thin out here in the last couple weeks.”

Sapere said he’s going to “go with the flow” and leave it to the coaches to put the team in a position to win.

“Whatever happens, happens,” said Sapere. “If I’m the guy, I’m the guy. If I’m not, I’m going to be right there in case anything happens.”

Southern will have two weeks for players to recover from injuries as it enters its bye week. The Owls will resume action Oct. 13 on the road versus undefeated Assumption.

“We’re going to take the bye and clean up where we can clean up,” said Godek. “They’re a great program here in the last few years particularly. We have to be ready to execute at all three phases when we play those guys up there.”

Photo Credit: Palmer Piana

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