Senior Nigel Beckford rushed for over 300 yards and 4 TDs in Episcopal's 55-14 win at Fannon Field.
Episcopal’s Nigel Beckford came into the season’s second game fresh off an impressive game against Flint Hill in the Maroon’s season opener, gaining more than 200 yards rushing. He certainly proved that it was not a fluke as the Bridgeport, Connecticut native gashed the Cardinals for more than 300 yards of rushing in a 55-14 mauling at Fannon Field Saturday. The senior running back had scoring runs of 85, 68, 55, and 15 yards in the contest. It was the most points scored against Bishop Ireton since Bishop O’Connell piled up 62 in 1985.
The visitors needed only 36 seconds to score the game’s first touchdown, a 4-play drive covering 55 yards, including a spectacular first run by Beckford, hurdling a tackler on a 24-yard scamper. A 21-yard TD toss capped the drive from senior Will Hollister to Blake Barefoot.
Ireton had the makings of a scoring threat on their first possession until an Andrew Latrash pass was intercepted by Gray Williams. On the second play from scrimmage, Beckford bolted 85 yards for the first of his three touchdowns in the first half. When the Cardinals fumbled the ensuing kickoff at their own 17, Episcopal immediately took advantage in less than 30 seconds to go up 21-0 on Beckford’s 5 yard run.
It would grow to 35-0 by the end of the first period and the running clock, a high school rule when the point differential reaches 35, ensued. Episcopal expanded the advantage to 42-0 by halftime.
Ireton would get a touchdown from senior Hudson Sullivan in the third quarter on a 5-yard run and the 2-pt PAT on a toss to junior Brenden Peifer, which momentarily returned the clock to normal at 42-8. Freshman quarterback Chandler Wilder rolled right into the end zone in the 4th period for the Cardinals second touchdown.
The loss evens Ireton’s record at 2-2 while the visiting Maroon improve to 2-0. The Cardinals now look to play the role of visitor for the first time this season when they call on the Knights of St Mary’s Ryken. The rapidly improving Leonardtown club dumped the Cardinals last season for the first time in the history of the series and they looked strong with a 3-1 mark, including a narrow loss to undefeated Bishop McNamara last weekend. Kickoff for the Friday night affair is 7pm.
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