#5 Wesley Masters The Apprentice School
DOVER, Del. – Wesley College's defense allowed just 93 total yards as the fifth-ranked Wolverines ran past the Apprentice School, 47-0, on Saturday afternoon at Scott D. Miller Stadium. The Navy & White did not turn the ball over for the second-straight game as Justin Sottilare completed 14-of-18 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns to lead the offense.
After punting on their first drive, the Wolverines (8-1) scored on two consecutive drives to take a 14-0 with 2:04 remaining in the first half. A 20-yard punt return by Sean Hopkins gave the Wolverines good field position at the Apprentice 40-yard line and senior running back Askia Jahad carried the load for a two-yard touchdown seven plays later. Jahad carried the ball four times for 22 yards on the drive, while a ten-yard run by Robert Wiggs set up Jahad's score.
Apprentice was forced to punt on their ensuing drive but a bad snap on a punt attempt once again gave Wesley good field position at the Builders' 24. A 20-yard pass to Ben Barile on the first play of the drive got the ball inside the five and two plays later, senior Matt Barile took an end-around three yards for a score.
Dan Tryon's extra point was good to make the score 14-0, and Ryan Gerlitz kickoff was caught by a diving Rashawn Sims at the two, and that's where the Builders took over. On the first play of the drive, defensive back Jared Morris got through the offensive line and tackled Ralick Lockett for a safety to give Wesley a 16-0 lead.
Sottilare through a pair of touchdown passes in the second quarter, sandwiching a 22-yard touchdown run by Steve Koudossou, and Wesley went into the half with a 40 point lead.
Head coach Mike Drass, who won his 175th career game with the victory, emptied h bench in the second half, but not before Jeremiah Howe scored on a 45-yard catch and run from Sottilare.
Jake McCusker relieved Sottilare at quarterback and completed his only pass attempt to Christopher Askew, one of ten Wolverines to catch a pass on the day. Ryan Strain also saw snaps behind center and carried the ball once for four yards.
Jahad carried the ball nine times for a team-high 32 yards, but right behind him was senior Joe Bonato, who ran the rock for a career-high 31 yards on seven carries. Bonato had one carry for 18 yards which doubled his previous longest run.
Defensively, the Wolverines tallied a season-high nine tackles for loss with Sosthene Kapepula and Morris combining for 4.5. Kapepula led the team with seven tackles while Matt Capetola, Dyamond Ruffin and Terence Gavin each had five. Leon Jones also picked off his third pass of the season, giving him ten for his career, which ties him with Jim Steene for tenth all-time at Wesley.
The Division III leader in punt returns, Hopkins increased his yards per return average nearly a full yard with three returns for 75 yards, including a long of 47 yards. The 47-yard run back was Hopkins' fifth return of over 40 yards this season.
For the Builders, quarterback Paul Morgan was just 3-of-13 for 50 yards with Sims catching two passes for 28 yards. Morgan also led the team with 29 rushing yards on five carries while Lockett ran for 25 yards on 16 carries. The Apprentice School only mustered five first downs on the day, with one coming on a fake punt on their first possession of the game.
The Wolverines are off next weekend and will await the announcement of their first round playoff opponent on Sunday, November 11 at 6 pm. Fans can watch the selection show live on NCAA.com as Wesley should advance to their eighth-straight NCAA Tournament.
