Thomas Jefferson played spoiler in Brooklyn Tech’s home opener.
Behind the two-headed running attack of senior Kendall (Speedy) Thomas and Eugene Qualls, the Orange Wave knocked off the Engineers, 18-7, in PSAL City Championship division football.
“We came out here and we did what we needed to do,” Thomas said. “We stayed focus and we were disciplined.”
Thomas gained 79 yards on the ground with dynamic speed that complimented Qualls’ 125 yards on 15 rushes.
“I was visualizing and it was just like Madden,” Thomas said. “It was like a video game out there.”
An early one-yard touchdown run from Jefferson senior quarterback Al Stewart was canceled out by a 10-yard rush to pay dirt from Brooklyn Tech’s James Gales to give the Engineers a 7-6 lead in the first quarter.
Thomas gave Jefferson the lead in the second quarter with a five-yard touchdown run and continued to break down Tech not only on the ground, but on special teams and defense.
“I never stop my legs,” Thomas said. “I always keep moving and I never give up.”
A 23-yard kick-off return from the versatile back in the third quarter set up Jefferson’s third touchdown of the game, an 11-yard pass from Stewart to senior tight end Ebenezer Ogundeko, New York State’s top prospect.
After the early score was allowed, Jefferson’s defense, led by Ogundeko, buckled down with the help of a few turnovers, one of them a fumble in the red zone in the third quarter.
Tech was limited to just 42 yards through the air and 46 yards on the ground.
“The defense was unbelievable,” Thomas said. “We allowed seven points, that’s good, but we want a shutout — that’s what we’re looking for.”
“Other teams better watch out, we’ll be going in hard,” Thomas added. “There can always be more improvements.”