BROOKLINE — With the size, strength, and talent of the Dexter offensive line, St. Paul’s knew that if it held up against the run, the Big Red would have a chance in Saturday’s Evergreen League showdown.
Behind a stalwart defensive effort, and some big plays from Teigan Pelletier on both sides of the ball, St. Paul’s earned a tough 12-9 victory over host Dexter.
And the Big Red did it in front of a star-studded audience, as Penn State coach James Franklin was in attendance to see Nittany Lions verbal commit Liam Andrews, Dexter’s offensive and defensive star.
Dexter falls to 3-1 with the loss, while St. Paul’s improves to 2-1.
“Their line’s so big,” St. Paul’s coach Craig Vandersea said. “Being able to just be a team defense, and knowing our D-line had to sacrifice, take on blocks, get them down on the ground so our linebackers could make tackles. We just changed up a little bit of coverage. Our (defensive backs), we didn’t give up a big play. We gave up some third downs and some fourth downs. They have a great pass game also. We knew early, if we didn’t stop the run, it was going to be a long day.”
But it proved to be a longer day for Dexter. Although the hosts held a 7-6 halftime edge, St. Paul’s came out to start the second half and grabbed the lead. Quarterback Daniel Sullivan hit Pelletier for a 47-yard bomb down the right sideline, which set up a 6-yard touchdown scamper from Michael Seward to give St. Paul’s a 12-7 lead.
Pelletier caught five passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, and also made two interceptions.
His second was the biggest. Dexter sliced the lead to 12-9 when Alex Saunders tackled Sullivan in the end zone for a fourth-quarter safety.
But the last two Dexter possessions ended in turnovers. The first, a bobbled snap, led to a fumble recovery by St. Paul’s defensive lineman Ernest Obiorah. On Dexter’s final possession, Pelletier picked off a pass over the middle to seal it for the Big Red.
“Unequivocally, one of those days where it seemed to be out of 11 jobs on the field, one didn’t go on a certain play,” Dexter coach Casey Day said. “It ended up costing us in the end. You said it right, you can’t turn the ball over against a great football team and expect to win the game.”
Dexter jumped out to a 7-0 lead when quarterback Joe McCauley (156 yards passing) hit Joshua Berglund for an 11-yard gain, but the ball popped loose. Santana Cardoso picked the ball up from the St. Paul’s 4-yard line and ran it in for a touchdown.
Sullivan and Pelletier then hooked up for a big play in the second quarter, when the quarterback found the receiver for a 57-yard touchdown, as Pelletier sprinted past the secondary and into the end zone.
It stayed 7-6 until the second half, when the Big Red made seemingly every big play.
Although the game was a disappointment, Andrews was happy to see Franklin supporting him.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s awesome. Not the outcome I wanted, but it’s a blessing,” Andrews said. “A kid from Massachusetts, a little state not necessarily known for football. To have the Penn State coach here, and the opportunity to play there at the next level is a blessing. Really, really cool to see that, for sure.”
