Greyhounds steamroll Dons, 63-7

Somebody had to pay.

Coming off a stunning loss last Friday at Calvert Hall, No. 2 Gilman unleashed its considerable offensive talent on the visiting Dons of Loyola, Saturday, scoring 56 first half points and administering a 63-7 pounding which had to be seen to be believed, in MIAA A Conference football.

It was Homecoming at Gilman and while the school honored the class of 1960, it was the class of 2010 which made a little history.

On its first series of the day, Gilman got a 10-yard touchdown run from Darius Jennings.  On their second series, the Hounds got a two-yard TD run from Kenneth Goins, and so it would go.  The pair combined for six touchdowns, three each, in a stunning display of speed and athleticism.

Before the crowd had completely settled into their seats, Goins made it 21-0 when he grabbed a loose ball out of mid-air, on a dead run, and raced 40 yards for a touchdown with a fumble recovery.

Jennings added a seven-yard touchdown run, minutes later, to complete the opening quarter onslaught.

The second quarter was more of the same, as Goins rushed for a 40 yard score.  C.J. Jones got into the act with a 12-yard TD run, followed by 50-yard breakway by Jennings.  The first half battering mericfully ended with a one-yard scoring run by junior Devon Porchia.  Gilman would add one more score in the third quarter on a four-yard run by senior Andrew Rina.

Loyola scored its only touchdown in the third quarter on a 13-yard pass from Mike Fafaul to Deemer Class.

Jennings had 163 yards on 16 carries, while Jones added 74 yards on eight carries.  All this while the Gilman defense stifled the Dons (3-4, 1-1) all day.

Gilman coach Biff Poggi humbly said that his team got every possible break.

“Loyola has a good team,” said Poggi. “They’re well coached, and they’re going to win a lot of games.”

Jones agreed.

“They’re a good football team,” said the junior running back.    “We knew they had a strong passing attack, and it was up to our defensive backs to contain their quarterback (Fafaul) and limit their receivers after the catch.”  

According to Jennings, Gilman (5-2, 2-1) turned it up in practice this week, following last week’s stunning last-minute setback.

“We focused on taking care of the ball,” said Jennings, who is being recruited by numerous Division I colleges.

The Greyhounds amassed 358 total yards on the ground, and scored eight rushing touchdowns.

Gilman’s win, coupled with Calvert Hall’s loss to Georgetwon Prep on Friday, creates a three-way tie for first place in the tough MIAA A Conference.  Gilman, Calvert Hall and Prep are all 2-1.  The Greyhounds gave the Hoyas their only loss in the conference a few weeks ago.

Loyola, a 35-34 winner over McDonogh last week, is 1-1, as are the Eagles. With lots of great match ups to come, the conference crown is up for grabs.

To view video clips, interviews and the complete game play-by-play, by Booker Corrigan, click on the Related Videos link above.