October 10, 2010
Napoleon finds comfort zone
QB Brandon Napoleon threw for 105 yards and a touchdown in a win over Union City.
Click Here for more photos from Union City at St. Peter's Prep.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY – Brandon Napoleon knew of the pressure facing him this season. Moving from safety to quarterback would be enough of a challenge for most. But Napoleon also had the daunting task of replacing an All-State QB in Raphael Ortiz and leading a team with state title aspirations.
After some rough moments early in the season, the Marauders and their junior signal caller have hit their stride in October. The progression of both team and quarterback continued yesterday in a dominant 54-8 victory over Union City yesterday.
“As a first-time starter, we knew there were going to be some early growing pains,” head coach Rich Hansen said. “Now he is starting to make plays and be the field general that we need him to be.”
In a game, where St. Peter’s Prep (4-1) rushed for nearly 300 yards, the impact of Napoleon’s six pass attempts might not have seemed large. But with just one play, Napoleon would set the tone for the Marauders and the entire afternoon.
On Prep’s very first play from scrimmage – a play-action pass, Napoleon would uncork a long pass through the Caven Point winds and into the arms of receiver Joe Vesey. Vesey would then race into the end zone for a 65-yard touchdown and give the Marauders a 7-0 lead after just 20 seconds.
“It was big,” Napoleon said. “It set the whole tempo for the game.”
“When you score on the first play like that it sends a message,” Hansen said.
If the message wasn’t clear after Napoleon’s touchdown, Prep really hammered the point home moments later. The Marauders recovered a pair of Union City (2-3) fumbles and converted both turnovers into Savon Huggins touchdowns and a 21-0 lead just two minutes into the game.
The Napoleon-Huggins duo was an unstoppable combination for Prep. Napoleon would maneuver the offense up and down the field with both his arm and legs. He completed 5-of-6 passes in the opening half for 105 yards, connecting with four different receivers. Napoleon would add 22 yards on four carries, looking more like a veteran quarterback rather than a converted safety.
“Everything that happened before is in the past,” said Napoleon. “You can’t look back. Before, I was inexperienced (at quarterback). Now I’ve had five starts and I’m feeling more confident and getting better.”
Huggins got the better of a physical Soaring Eagles defense, withstanding hard hit after hard hit for 145 yards on 16 carries. He would have a season-best five touchdowns, scoring on runs of 1, 14, 8, 2 and 15 yards.
Huggins would give way to junior Jared Crayton in the second half. Crayton would break off touchdown runs of 47 and 34 yards and finished with 127 yards on just nine carries.
Sophomore Nick Espana put Union City on the scoreboard with a 69-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Espanana would finish with 70 yards on four carries to lead the Soaring Eagles.
Union City will look to bounce back and keep their playoff hopes alive when they travel to West New York and face Memorial on Friday. St. Peter’s Prep will be home on Friday against Bayonne.
Nick Espana scored for the third-straight game with 69-yard touchdown.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union City Soaring Eagles (2-3) | 0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
| St. Peter's Prep Marauders (4-1) | 21 |
13 |
13 |
7 |
54 |
| SPP: Joe Vesey, 65 pass from Brandon Napoleon (Kevin Cosgrove kick) | |||||
| SPP: Savon Huggins, 1 run (Cosgrove kick) | |||||
| SPP: Huggins, 14 run (Cosgrove kick) | |||||
| SPP: Huggins, 8 run (Cosgrove kick) | |||||
| SPP: Huggins, 2 run (kick failed) | |||||
| SPP: Huggins, 15 run (kick failed) | |||||
| SPP: Jared Crayton, 47 run (Cosgrove run) | |||||
| SPP: Crayton, 34 run (Cosgrove kick) | |||||
| UC: Nick Espana, 69 run (Steve Le run) | |||||