Defense boosts Sabers

BY HERB SMITH
Times-Shamrock Writer

Another strong defensive effort carried Susquehanna to a 14-7 win over Holy Redeemer in a nonleague game at Emminger Memorial Field on Saturday.

The Sabers, who gave up three points in a loss to Montrose last week, held Holy Redeemer to 19 yards rushing and forced four turnovers.

“I can’t say enough about them,” Susquehanna coach Kyle Cook said. “They play so hard. It was an awesome effort. We moved so many guys around and they really stepped up and played well.”

Jarred Mills provided the offense for the Sabers, rushing for 126 yards and two touchdowns. He scored on an 11-yard run on fourth-and-3 early in the second quarter to give Susquehanna a 7-0 lead. After the Royals punted, Susquehanna took possession at the Royals 45. Mills scored on the first play of the drive to push the lead to 14-0.

“That’s all my line,” Mills said. “My line made a huge hole for me and (quarterback) C.J. Stone made a great call. He audibled at the line and that’s really tough. Really awesome for the first time playing there. He made the call, my line made the block and I just ran behind them.”

It was the first varsity start for Stone, who finished with 41 yards rushing.
“He made a lot of freshman mistakes which we knew he was going to,” Cook said. “But he did well. If we can clean the fumbles up and each week get a little bit better with him I think we’ll be okay.”
Neither offense could put together a drive in the fourth quarter and, after a Susquehanna punt, Holy Redeemer took over at its 20 with 2:22 remaining. But the Royals fumbled the ball on the first play. Susquehanna recovered and was able to run out the clock. The teams combined for nine turnovers and 18 penalties.
“Turnovers are going to come,” Mills said. “Stone was just put there this week and it’s a tough predicament for him. But he played great. We just have to cut down on turnovers. It’s been a yearly thing. But if we fix the turnovers our offense is there.”