Peglegs Prevail to get First Win of Season

Someone’s “0” had to go. In a late-season matchup between the Peglegs and Columbus HS Blue Steel, both teams came in hungry for their first victory of the season. Following a disappointing Homecoming game loss against Flushing, the Peglegs knew that this would be a great opportunity to bounce back.

From the kickoff, it was evident that both teams were determined to break their winless streaks. For the Peglegs, the game started just as it did the previous week as the defense forced a punt on the first possession. The offense would then come on the field to build on the previous week as the combined running attack of junior quarterback Bodhi Sabongui and junior running back Mekhi Edwards led the way again. On the second possession of the game, Sabongui pitched it to Edwards on a speed option and Edwards did the rest, breaking multiple tackles on his way to a 41-yard touchdown to give the Peglegs the early lead (6-0).

The defense continued their strong play and junior cornerback Daniel Teboul immediately picked off a Columbus pass on the next possession. On the very next play, Sabongui found sophomore receiver Eli Garcia for a 54-yard touchdown which put the Peglegs up 12-0 and was Sabongui’s first passing touchdown since taking over as QB1. Garcia went from offense to defense and picked off a pass on the 2-yard line when the Blue Steel were threatening to get on the scoreboard right at the end of the first half.

Being up 12-0 was a familiar feeling as this was the same score of the Flushing game before giving up the lead in the second half. The message was clear, don’t let it happen again. The Blue Steel defense backed the Peglegs to their own 10-yard line anticipating a short field following a Peglegs punt. But junior punter Evan O’Reilly had a different plan as he took the long snap from his own end zone and punted it to Blue Steel 44-yd line. The defense forced a punt and Eli Garcia, who already had a receiving TD on offense and an interception on defense, picked up the punt (when no one else did) and returned it back to the Blue Steel 25-yard line. The Peglegs couldn’t capitalize on the short field and turned the ball over on downs. But then Sabongui, who also plays safety on defense, got the Peglegs third interception of the day to close out the third quarter. A few plays later, Sabongui sealed the victory with a 12-yard TD run, his third of the season, followed by a 2-pt conversion pass to senior receiver Stanley Zhao to put the Peglegs up 20-0 which would be the final score of the game. Clutch offensive plays from Sabongui, Edwards, and Garcia combined with a strong defense securing the shutout, denied Columbus High School any chance of a comeback.

Towards the end of the game, senior lineman Jermaine Strong had a memorable moment when he was put in at quarterback to finish up the game but the Columbus frustration coming from another loss led to unsportsmanlike penalties and a scuffle that resulted in the referees calling an early end to the game with a couple minutes left in the 4th quarter. The incident put a damper on the Peglegs first win of the season who gave it their all on the field. The win not only marked the end of the Peglegs' winless streak but also highlighted the team's growth and perseverance throughout the season filled with numerous close losses. The Peglegs now look to close out the season on a winning streak at the Pier Friday night against Fort Hamilton who will be looking to clinch their own playoff berth.