St. Augustine's Jackson Foley (18) hauls in an interception against Paul VI in the football game played at LaRosa Field at St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, New Jersey on Friday, September 7, 2024. Joshua Guirguis/D2 Sports Network
RICHLAND (N.J.) - The St. Augustine Preparatory School football team made a statement with its defense.
Paul VI held its own early on until the Hermits' defense generated five takeaways to help lead to a 29-0 victory last Friday.
Both sides traded a possession as each defense forced a turnover on downs. On Paul VI's second drive, St. Augustine's Damari Simeon read a screen pass to the running back and came up with an interception. Simeon has received offers from Notre Dame, Rutgers and West Virginia, among other Power Four schools for his ability to wreak havoc in the backfield.
His football IQ helped him notch his first career pick for the Hermits.
"I'm used to getting double and triple teamed up front so when I felt that I wasn't getting blocked the same, I knew it had to be a screen," Simeon said. "I told Coach Lancetta after the game, 'You saw those hands, right,' so maybe I'll see a pass come my way soon on offense."
The interception led to a 34-yard field goal by Luke Tanzola on the following drive to give St. Augustine a 3-0 lead. Three plays after the field goal, Jackson Foley hawked down a pass in double coverage - his first of two interceptions - to establish possession in the Eagles' territory. Salesianum (Del.) transfer Ryan Stoehr capitalized on the turnover and hit Liam Flynn in stride for a touchdown to help extend the lead to 10-0.
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