CHSFL: St. Joseph-by-the-Seas senior quarterback, in his final HS game, delivers coachs first win on Senior – SILive.com

The parallels of life, and football, were on full display in St. Joseph-by-the-Seas 25-17 victory over visiting Xaverian on Senior Day. The Vikings improved to 1-3, while the Clippers fell to 2-2 on Saturday.

In what first-year head coach Joe Goerge hopes is the first of many wins during his Vikings career, senior quarterback Jackson Tucker delivered his finest performance of the campaign, in what amounts to his final high school contest.

St. Joseph-by-the-Sea captured its first and only win of the season on Senior Day. (mmphotos2 for the Staten Island Advance)

It means pretty much everything, what theyve all been through, since last March struggling with everything, said Goerge. Were we going to play? Were we not going to play? This is typical of how the year went, the ups and downs.

Among the ups was Tucker, who was consistently great all night. The St. Johns University baseball commit looked the part of a ballplayer from the opening drive -- utilizing his quick release to complete 14-of-22 throws to seven different receivers for 196 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

We got to build a relationship with Coach Goerge, hes a great person and seeing his face after this win is great, he added. No matter what the scoreboard said after every single game, all these guys who stuck this out for four years, theyre all winners. In my eyes, these guys are undefeated.

The scoreboard had not been kind to the Vikings in recent weeks, who entered play 0-3 and had not reached the end zone since a 50-18 season-opening loss to St. Peters on April 17. However, the Vikings did not look the part of a winless team on Saturday.

On the games opening drive, Tucker methodically worked his team down field -- completing 6-of-8 attempts for 59 yards, including an 11-yard TD strike to Vincent Vazquez (4 receptions, 37 yards) to give the Vikings an early 6-0 advantage (two-point attempt no good). The drive, which ate up more than six minutes of clock, featured a pair of key fourth down conversions.

On 4th and 3 from midfield, Tucker linked up with Thomas Pecora for a 13-yard strike. Later in the drive, he connected with Vazquez on a 4th and 4 from inside the redzone for 14 yards, precluding the eventual touchdown.

Thomas Pecora dances up the sideline after hauling in a pass. (Photo by: Kara Buzga)

I love pressure, I always have, said Tucker. Pressure is something Im extremely used to. Me and every single receiver on this team have put in countless hours and countless time and it showed tonight. Everybody executed extremely well and it was unbelievable being able to look each way and have trust in every guy.

Xaverian rallied to score in the second quarter, though Tucker was swift to respond. The senior signal-caller promptly lofted a 32-yard floater to Justin Alexander (3 receptions, 60 yards), which preceded a 31-yard TD pass to Jacob Stewart (2 receptions, 39 yards) up the right sideline. Pecora would tack on the extra point to take back a 13-7 lead.

Sea's Justin Alexander makes the tackle in the backfield. (Photo by: Kara Buzga)

UP-AND-DOWN SECOND HALF

Coming out of the locker room, Sea held the Clippers to a quick three-and-out to open the second half. The Vikings put a bow on Xaverians opening drive when Devin Malvasio blocked the ensuing punt, which Mario DellaPasqua recovered in the end zone for six more points.

Sea' Devin Malvasio comes up with the tackle. (Photo by: Kara Buzga)

Later in the period, Tucker dumped a ball off to James Speciale in the flat, and the elusive slot man did the rest -- taking it 21 yards for the score. Sea led 25-7.

James Speciale eludes defenders en route to the end zone. (Photo by: Kara Buzga)

We had it. We thought we were ready to put them away, said Goerge.

Not so fast.

Xaverian running back Giancarlo Conti (12 carries - 139 yards, 2 TDs) wrought havoc on would-be tacklers. After Max Wassmer connected on a 34-yard field goal to close out the third quarter, Conti found the end zone early in the fourth -- and suddenly, it was a one-score game again, 25-17.

Our resilience was shown. Maybe some teams wouldve said this is the same old stuff, but not these guys, said Goerge. They stuck in and pushed to the end. They answered the call each time.

Vikings running backs Tyler Murphy (10 carries - 53 yards) and Logan Auerbach (7 carries - 48 yards) helped salt away clock, but key sacks from Jake Shepard and George Kakakis dissuaded Xaverians prior momentum. Stewart, Adonis Trejo, and Rich Runfola also stood out on the defensive side.

You wish now that we could play again, said Goerge after his clubs performance. Proud of the way they finished. This is something they can take with them forever. Its always nice to end on a win. Its exciting for the future as well.

After a drizzly start, it was a beautiful night for spring football at Vikings Park -- where Sea emerge with a 25-17 win over Xaverian. (Photo by: Nick Regina)

KEY STATS

St. Joseph-by-the-Sea: Jackson Tucker: 14-of-22, 196 yards, 3 TDs, 1 Int. Tyler Murphy: 10 carries, 53 yards. Logan Auerbach: 7 carries, 48 yards. Justin Alexander: 3 receptions, 60 yards. Jacob Stewart: 2 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD. Vincent Vazquez: 4 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD. James Speciale: 1 reception, 21 yards, 1 TD.

Xaverian: Giancarlo Conti: 12 carries, 139 yards, 2 TDs.

St Joseph By The Sea James Speciale (3) scores a touchdown against Xaverian. (mmphotos2 For The Staten Island Advance)

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CHSFL: St. Joseph-by-the-Seas senior quarterback, in his final HS game, delivers coachs first win on Senior - SILive.com