Sprint Football’s First 2023 Game: An Overview

By Elijah Williams

Last Friday, the Chestnut Hill Griffins football team kicked off their first game of the season against the University of Pennsylvania for the Battle of Philly.

The Griffins won the toss and were selected to kick off. The Griffins’ defense came out hot on the first drive of the game forcing UPENN to punt.

The Griffins came out on offense very explosive and ended up scoring on a pass by Anthony Cancellare to Nick Ocampo for a 7yd touchdown making that a 12-play 65-yard drive. The Griffins are up 6–0, but missing their extra point. UPenn would answer right back with a touchdown of their own, ending the first quarter with a score of 7–6.

A few minutes into the 2nd quarter, the Griffins are in the back of their own endzone when suddenly Cancellare drops back, looks, and delivers a quick slant to number 18, Kindrik Branch, who takes it all the way to the endzone for a 99-yard touchdown. Branch set a school record for the longest touchdown in school history and the Griffins are up 13–7.

The Griffins had UPenn locked down after that, only letting up a field goal. The leading tacklers for the Griffins defensive are Lex Williams (11), Larry Fonville (9), Jonathan Havrilak (7), and Nelson Millan and Jerry Clark both had 8 tackles.

From the defense shutting down UPenn’s offense, the Griffins got the ball back, leading to another touchdown thrown by Cancellare to Kyree Griffin for a 70-yard touchdown. The score is now 20–10 UPenn had a lot of trouble being able to keep up with the Griffins receiver core.

The 3rd and 4th quarters were mostly a defensive game. With four minutes left in the 4th quarter, UPenn is backed up near the goal line when the quarterback drops back and throws. When the ball ends up being tipped the Griffins’ Justin Oppong picks off the ball and takes it 30 yards for a touchdown. This touchdown ended all hopes for a UPenn comeback with the final score of the game being 27–10. Griffins win.

Cancellare ended the game with the school record for passing yards in a game throwing for 344 yards, completing 24 of 33 passes, and the longest passing touchdown in school history.

Kindrik Branch finished with 126 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.

Miles Coates ended the game with 54 rushing yards.

The Griffins look to carry their momentum into Saturday, September 23’s matchup against Caldwell.