High School Football: Poly’s Quick Start On Offense, Second Half Defense Closes Out Brentwood, 28-14

 

Poly scored early and often and then rode the back of its defense to a 28-14 victory over Brentwood in the home opener Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers (2-0) scored the first 28 points, and then shut out the Eagles (1-1) in the second half. Senior Brady Carter scored on a 4-yard TD run, and less than three minutes later, Carter, who was set to punt, faked the Eagles and hit James Olson on a 55-yard TD pass and extended the lead to 28-0.

Cameron McFarlane had a game-high 154 yards on just eight carries, which included a 75-yard TD run on the second drive of the game to get the Panthers on the board.

“It was frustrating (all the offensive penalties), but overall I was proud of us and the way we played the game,” McFarlane said. “It’s a challenge (playing both offense and defense) being a linebacker too, but I enjoy being out there.”

Poly quarterback John Genske completed 8 of 16 passes for 183 yards, and threw a 21-yard TD pass to Christian Henderson late in the first quarter.

“We knew there were some things we could take advantage of in this Brentwood defense and going over the top,” Genske said. “It ended up working out well.”

Daniel D’Amico intercepted Brentwood quarterback Greg Dauber in the first quarter and gave Poly good field position at the Eagles’ 36-yard line.

D’Amico’s pick set up the eventual Henderson score

“I love the way we started fast,” Poly coach Chris Schmoke said. “I thought we let up a little bit at the end of the first half, and put some of that on me. I was really proud of the way we responded in the second half after losing the momentum.”

Dauber did throw a 42-yard score to Donovan Wong and an 8-yard strike to Dallas Martin to get Brentwood within 28-14, but both defenses held their counterparts scoreless in the second half.

Dauber finished 15 of 32 for 274 yards.

Poly had six holding penalties, one of which nullified a 78-yard TD from McFarlane.

The Panthers travel next Friday to Dymally of Los Angeles.

Brentwood: 0-14-0-0-(14)
Poly: 14-14-0-0-(28)

P: Cameron McFarlane 75 run at 6:56 1Q (Matthew Queen kick)
P: Christian Henderson 21 pass from John Genske at 3:51 1Q (Queen kick)
P: Brady Carter 4 run at 8:51 2Q (Queen kick)
P: James Olson 55 pass from Carter at 5:08 2Q (Queen kick)
B: Donovan Wong 42 pass from Greg Dauber at 2:37 2Q (Noah Markman kick)
B: Dallas Martin 8 pass from Dauber at 0:43 2Q (Markman kick)

Offensive Leaders:

Passing: Greg Dauber (B) 15 of 32 for 274 yards, 2 TD, 1 Int; John Genske (P) 8 of 16 for 183 yards, 1 TD.

Rushing: Eli Brooks (B) 12 carries for 64 yards; Cameron McFarlane (P) 8 carries for 154 yards, 1 TD, Brady Carter 15 for 82 yards, 1 TD.

Receiving: Dallas Martin (B) 3 catches for 29 yards, 1 TD; Christian Henderson (P) 2 catches for 44 yards, 1 TD