For the second straight year, City College High and Overlea opened the football season against other. And for the second straight year, it was the Knights proving too much for Overlea, winning, 27-6, at Poly Friday evening.
The Knights rolled up a 27-0 halftime lead to ruin Craig Rollins’ debut as Overlea coach. Steffin Wilkins scored two touchdowns for City (1-0 overall), and Charles Tapper and Tyreke Richburg each added a score.
In the opening quarter, City College struck first as on fourth-and-two Wilkens hit junior Richburg right between the numbers on a slant pattern for a 11-yard touchdown with 4 minutes, 43 seconds left in the quarter. The Knights would converted four of six fourth down plays.
“We always feel that we can make it, there is a lot of confidence in the offense and a lot of confidence in our play makers to get it done,” said City coach George Petrides.
A bad punt gave City a first down at Overlea’s 28-yard line. Six plays later, Wilkens scored from a yard out.
Wilkens again found the end zone as the junior quarterback broke a few tackles and ran up the middle of the Falcon defense for a 34 yard touchdown run. A run sweep by junior Da’Quan Smith on the two point conversion attempt put the Black Knights up 20-0.
“Steffin had an outstanding game for us today. He did a good job running this offense for us and I expect great things out him this season,” said Petrides.
A bobbled snap by the Falcons’ special teams on a punt attempt gave City prime field position again. In the closing seconds of the first half, Wilkens delivered a strike to fellow junior Charles Tapper as the Blacks Knights went up 27-0 at the end of the first half.
Tre James, and seniors Carlton Anderson and Lamar Montgomery led the Knights’ defense as they broke the offensive line of Overlea all night long. Petrides wasn’t with the Knights’ second half showing (three fumbles and interception).
“I think we were tried due to the heat today,” said Petrides. “We didn’t practice well and with the game starting and stopping, and starting and stopping that didn’t help well too.”
Overlea looks rebound against Perry Hall while City shoots for a 2-0 mark, taking on Northwestern.
“We are pretty strong against the run,” Petrides said. “I would be pretty mad if people were able to run the ball on us. We are large and aggressive up front with Tre James and other players we are pretty good against the run.”
