Georgetown Prep, St. Augustine In Tight Clash
Georgetown Prep, St. Augustine In Tight Clash
Georgetown Prep defeated visiting St. Augustine out of New Jersey Saturday, beating the Hermits 21-14.
It was St. Augustine's first loss on the spring and was a competitive, well-played game from both.
Prep went up 7-0 on a try from senior wing George Murphy, who was set up by a pass from No. 8 Kian Khonsari.
St. Augustine answered soon thereafter and they consistently challenged the Prep defense. Prep scored again near the end of the first half when an errant pass by the Hermits was picked up by Khonsari, who took it in under the posts.
In the second half the Hoyas went up 21-7 when junior center Chase Morgante broke though off first phase from the scrum. Scrumhalf Connor Long slotted the conversion (following on wing Remy Delaney's kicks on the first two). St. Augustine countered with a long run for a try by No. 8 Danny Francis. The Hermits were relentless and fought until the end to get that game-tying try.
They held possession through a long series of phases, getting close to the Hoyas' line. But the Georgetown Prep defense held, and eventually tackled a Hermits ballcarrier into touch to end the game. they were tackled into touch on Prep’s 5 meter line.
"St Augustine was a hard running, physical team," said Georgetown Prep Head Coach Tom McHale. "Lots of fast, strong ball carriers who were very difficult to tackle, particularly Francis. They maintained possession well in contact and also had great defensive line speed."
St. Augustine is now 4-1 with wins over LaSalle, Malvern Prep, Calvert Hall, Morris, and Gonzaga Black. Georgetown Prep is now 5-2, including wins over Rugby Alto Lazio on their 1-1 tour of Italy, Calvert Hall, ad Archbishop Spalding. They also have lost to Fort Hunt.
