By Claire Frank
Decked in full royal blue, Tuscarora High School’s freshman football team faced the gold and white Manassas Park High School Cougars on Monday, September 8, 2013, handily winning their first home game 43 to 6.
Tuscarora gained control of the game almost immediately. Both quarterbacks Nick Kallivokas (12) and Ben Knuff (7) scored in the first quarter; wide receivers Joseph Morein (6) and Bubba Pickett (2), as well as running back Jared Carll (30) each scored touchdowns in the second quarter. Wide receiver Carter Milch scored the Huskies’ final touchdown in the fourth quarter, with a successful extra point attempt bringing the final score to 43.
Early in the second quarter, Manassas intercepted a pass near the Husky end zone, but Tuscarora quickly recovered, forcing a safety seconds later.
Tuscarora may have given up an interception and tried unsuccessfully to pull off several 2 point conversions and extra point attempts, but they set the pace for the game and left the Cougars scrambling to keep up.
While Manassas came very close to scoring several times, especially in the third quarter, the Huskies were able to hold their own, only letting in a single touchdown by Manassas in the second quarter.
At the end of the first half the score was 36 to 6, leaving the Huskies feeling very secure in their position. The Cougars renewed their efforts and pushed hard in the next two quarters, blocking Tuscarora’s attempts at scoring with exception to Milch’s touchdown run in the fourth. Tuscarora, however, fought back with equal strength and the Cougars plays remained fruitless.
“It really felt like we dominated and controlled the game,” said Knuff on the way back to the locker room. “We played very well and even got a lot of 2nd stringers in.”
Led by head coach Onzy Elam, the freshman team is currently undefeated with a record of 2-0-0. Their next game was scheduled at Martinsburg High School in West Virginia on Monday, September 16th, but it was canceled due to inclement weather.