Box Score OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Stevenson football took control early with a big play on special teams, striking first and not looking back in a wire-to-wire 37-0 victory against Misericordia in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play here Saturday at a soggy Mustang Stadium.
Stevenson (1-5, 1-3 MAC) led 23-0 at the halftime break, dictating time of possession throughout the afternoon, while the defense limited Misericordia (2-3, 1-3 MAC) to under 200 yards on the day. Ryan Sedgwick anchored the aerial assault for the Mustangs with 313 passing yards and four touchdowns, sending the first two to senior wideout Brandon Booze.
- After forcing a fumble on special teams and recovering, Stevenson set up in prime field position from the Misericordia 16. On the next play, Sedgwick lobbed a high pass to a leaping Brandon Booze, who held on through traffic for a 7-0 lead after the extra point at the 11:26 mark of the quarter.
- Following a stop defensively, The Mustangs marched down the field again. The drive was keyed by a deep 37-yard passing strike up the middle from Sedgwick to Cory Jones. Two plays later, Matt Goetz lined up in a power formation and pushed the pile for a six-yard score, pushing the Mustangs ahead 13-0.
- Mario McIntyre raced in for a sack of QB Mitchell Macale on third down, halting the next Cougar drive. On 4-and-15, punter Tom Weiskiricher rolled a 73-yard punt to back the Mustangs up deep in their own territory.
- Stevenson unspooled an impressive 93-yard drive that spanned the end of the first quarter and into the second, elapsing nearly eight minutes off the clock. The drive concluded with an eight-yard scoring pass from Sedgwick to Booze once again, as the senior wideout held on through solid coverage for a 20-0 lead.
- Misericordia responded with a 12-play drive, missing a 41-yard field goal attempt into a swift wind.
- The Mustangs were forced to punt, but didn't wait long to get the ball back. On a second down play, Alexander Brown-Collie reeled in a one-handed interception, handing the Mustangs prime field position with just over one minute remaining in the quarter.
- Stevenson melted down the clock, which included an 18-yard dump-off pass to Kevin Joppy, before calling a timeout with one tick left in the quarter. Brody Campbell stepped into a 23-yard field goal, ballooning the Stevenson advantage to 23-0 heading into the break.
- After picking up a first down on the opening possession of the second half, Misericordia punted away. Stevenson made two strong plays in the secondary to break up passes before getting the ball back.
- Sedgwick rolled to find an open Steven Smothers in the flat, who zipped up the left sideline for 12 yards to move the chains. Darian Littlejohn found space in the middle for an 11-yard catch before a slant route for Booze brought the ball to the 18-yard line. The next play, Sedgwick dumped a pass off to Littlejohn for a 13-yard reception, setting the Mustangs up inside the 10. On third and goal, Sedgwick connected with Littlejohn on a 10-yard strike, expanding the Stevenson lead to 30-0 following the extra point with 7:50 remaining in the frame.
- Misericordia worked the ball just beyond midfield, and a near interception almost handed the ball back to the Mustangs. On the next play, pressure up the middle forced a quick throw from Micale that Sean Sullivan picked off and returned to the 50. The Mustangs ran a fake punt that was snuffed out by the Cougars, providing Misericordia the ball back in a similar position to before the interception.
- Stevenson began the fourth quarter with an explosive 63-yard bomb on third down from Sedgwick to Smothers for a 27-0 lead.
- The Mustangs were able to melt the clock away with a potent running attack, taking a page from the Misericordia playbook.
- Brandon Walker was given 10 consecutive carries on the final drive as Stevenson took the final six minutes off the clock, preserving the shutout win.
- Stevenson has not lost to Misericordia since the series began in 2012, winning seven straight meetings. The two sides were meeting for the first time since 2017, a game where Stevenson rewrote the record book in a 65-7 drubbing of the Cougars.
- The Mustangs collected their first shutout since the 2019 season, blanking Lycoming in a 31-0 home triumph.
- Booze hauled in two touchdown passes, one of three players with a touchdown grab on Saturday.
- Sedgwick entered the contest with 40 career touchdown passes, adding four more to continue climbing up the passing charts. Already in sole possession of second place in program history for touchdown passes, Sedgwick is now 17 touchdowns shy of tying the all-time mark held by Dan Williams (61).
- The Mustangs took charge early, limiting how much Misericordia could rely on its strong ground game. Entering Saturday, Misericordia ranked second in the league in rushing yardage per game (186.7), but mustered just 73 yards on the ground.
- McIntyre added another sack to his ledger this season, giving him one in four of six games this season.
- Stevenson held the ball for nearly 37 minutes, gaining about six yards per play.
- Stevenson: The Mustangs are back at Mustang Stadium for Homecoming, hosting Widener on Saturday, October 23 at 1:00 PM.
- Misericordia: The Cougars host conference power Delaware Valley on Saturday, October 23 at 1:00 PM.
