Chiefs Top Knights 8-2 For Spot In PSAL Semifinals
By Jerry Del Priore

Brandon Jones' (#8) first quarter touchdown was the only score Canarsie needed to win Saturday's PSALquarterfinal.

Third-seeded Canarsie High School varsity football team's offense has garnered the majority of praise for its success this season. However, it was the Chiefs' defense that helped them upend sixth-seeded JFK High School, 8-2, Saturday at home in the quarterfinals of the PSAL playoffs.

The Chiefs scored first on a touchdown run by senior running back Brandon Jones. Senior quarterback Sha Tim Pratt followed with a two-point conversion to take an early 8-0 lead in the opening period.

The Chiefs threatened again, but a Knights' defender ripped the pigskin from Jones' grasp at the four-yard line and returned it for a score. However, a JFK penalty on the runback negated the score and gave the ball to JFK, which was forced to punt a few plays later.

The Knights blocked a punt, which Canarsie recovered in its end zone for a JFK safety, narrowing the gap at 8-2 in the second quarter.

(Clockwise from left) Darren Dixon (#24)makes a fourth quarter interception; Steven Rene makes a big hit on JFKrunning back, and senior quarterback Sha Tim Pratt (#7)scores a two point conversion.

Both teams played to a third period stalemate.

In the fourth quarter, the Knights had the ball on the Chiefs' 21-yard line on fourth and five, but junior defensive back Darren Dixon intercepted a deflected pass to thwart the JFK threat.

Canarsie took a few knees as seconds ticked away on the clock, sealing the victory for the team and advancing to the semifinals.

Jones rushed for 105 of the Chiefs' 239 yards on the ground as teammate Robert Hill chipped in with 80. Pratt completed six of 15 passes for 45 yards and ran for seven more.

Canarsie's stingy defense limited JFK to only 85 yards of total offense and was led by junior defensive back Guilbert Germain with eight tackles. Deandre Hall, Eric Smith and Clifton Wright had seven stops apiece.

Chiefs' Head coach Mike Camardese credited the win to his defense and team's ability to overcome adversity.

"Our defense played great," Camardese told the Courier . "(When Brandon fumbled), it took the wind out of our sails. But we hung tough and rose to occasion. We've been doing this all season long."

"But now, it's time to take our game to the next level," he added.

Canarsie travels to Staten Island to take on second-seeded Port Richmond High School in the semifinals Saturday at noon. The winner goes on to play in the city championship on December 1.

Photos by Phil Robinson

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