OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Stevenson football forced four turnovers and pulled away behind a second-half shutout in a 40-18 victory in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play against Alvernia on Saturday.
Stevenson (3-0, 1-0) remains unbeaten following another impressive performance over the final two quarters. Meanwhile, Alvernia (1-2, 0-1) cut its deficit to 20-18 with a touchdown just before halftime before the Mustangs took over.
Ryan Sedgwick surpassed 500 career completions and fell just short of becoming the school's all-time leading passer in the victory. The senior completed 19 passes for 254 yards with four scores through the air.
The passing touchdowns came to four different targets with one in each quarter. On the defensive end,
Demetrius Salley 11 total tackles with two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Stevenson scored 20 unanswered points in the second half, including an early score in the third quarter to
Amir Moore.
Stevenson received the opening kickoff and needed just five plays to march 73 yards for the first score of the day. Sedgwick found
Jakari Lewis for a 30-yard score down the right side as the Mustangs jumped ahead 7-0. The Golden Wolves answered on their first possession with a 12-play drive spanning 80 yards, but missed the extra point.
William Humphrey forced a fumble that the Mustangs recovered and advanced to the Alvernia 25. Four plays later,
Brandon Walker found the endzone from one yard out. The Mustangs missed the two-point attempt, jumping ahead 13-6 with just five ticks left in the first.
Alvernia needed just two plays for a response as Dachan Thompson broke free for a 51-yard reception and second touchdown of the contest. The Mustangs blocked the ensuing extra-point attempt, remaining in front at 13-12.
The teams traded punts over the next six possessions in the second quarter. Stevenson expanded the lead with a long pass from Sedgwick to
Steven Smothers for a 20-12 edge. After interceptions for each team with under one minute to go, Alvernia ended the half with a 14-yard completion to EJ Lee, bringing the Golden Wolves to within 20-18. On the day, Lee finished with 91 rushing yards in addition to his receiving touchdown.
Stevenson forced another fumble at the onset of the second half, turning it into a touchdown with a seven-yard connection to Moore. The Mustangs gained some breathing room at 27-18 before
Sean Sullivan ripped an interception on the next defensive series. Sullivan notched four tackles, along with an interception and pass breakup on the defensive side for Stevenson.
The Mustangs tacked on a field goal from
Brody Campbell, one of two on the day for the veteran kicker. Stevenson broke the game open with a 42-yard pass to an open
Tylor Blake, who took it the distance for a 37-18 edge early in the fourth.
Sedgwick is just 44 yards shy of becoming the school's all-time leading passer following his performance on Saturday. Smothers made six catches for 80 yards and a score, continuing to close the gap on the Stevenson all-time receptions list. With 94 career grabs, Smothers is now fifth all time, just 26 behind Jeromie Miller for fourth. Moore and Lewis also added three receptions each.
Tajon Whiten racked up 15 tackles for the Golden Wolves.
UP NEXT
- Stevenson: The Mustangs visit Widener on Saturday, September 24 for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
- Alvernia: The Golden Wolves host Lebanon Valley on Saturday, October 1 following the team's bye week.
