A second-half surge for Derby helped the Red Raiders survive 28 – 14 against Crosby, Friday night at Ryan Field.
Junior Ray Kreiger looked solid in the second half, but his impact was shown on defense. The quarterback/ defensive back intercepted Crosby (2 – 7) quarterback Derrick Cox twice, the second interception setting the Red Raiders up on what would prove to be the game-winning drive.
Kreiger credited the defensive effort after the game.
“I felt it was a momentum builder for Shelton,” Kreiger said. “Coach French dials up a great defense and comes very well prepared every week. We watch film and we know what the teams are going to do.
With less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Kreiger connected with Jonathan Haydu for a 39-yard catch to the Bulldogs’ 15-yard line. The play was followed by a five-yard run by Jacob Tomczak. Derby was successful on the two-point conversion and led 21 – 7 with 2:32 left in the third quarter.
Coach George French was happy with the victory but showed concern over the team’s slow start.
“We got five wins, but we have to go out and play harder,” French said. “I am kind of confused. We played hard in the second half, but we didn’t get the game we expected out of our boys.”
The game began with a Derby onside kick which was recovered by Tomczak. The Red Raiders would lose out on the drive, as Kreiger threw a backwards pass to Tomczak, which was recovered by the Bulldogs.
Crosby capitalized on the error, when quarterback Derrick Cox threw a 36-yard pass to Josh Alvarado with 9:04 left in the first quarter to give the Bulldogs an early 7 – 0 lead.
“Crosby jumped all over us. You gotta give it to them,” French said. “We just played better in the second half.”
Derby would march back on the next drive, when Kreiger connected with Brian Dobek for a 20-yard touchdown. Kreiger’s effort was shown as he threw a bullet while sliding to the ground.
Tomczak had another big play in the second half, returning the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, and Derby led 13 – 7.
In the fourth quarter and down 21 – 7, Cox would connect with Shane Ireland for a 23-yard touchdown, getting Crosby within a score, but the Bulldogs were not able to get through the Derby defense again.
Kreiger scored again with 2:50 left in the game on a one-yard keeper, rounding out the scoring.
Haydu put the game on ice when he picked off Cox with 1:56 left.
Kreiger said he was thrilled with the prospect of a winning season.
“[Five wins] feels great. Our goal is to be 6 – 4 and to have our first winning season in over 10 years,” Kreiger said.
Because of the game being the last home game of the season, the eight seniors on Derby’s roster were honored before the game. The seniors are: Zach Salazar, Rashawn Hendricks, Haydu, Anthony DiChiara, Eddy Velazquez, Francisco Gomes, Jesse Gilbert and Richard Bartone.
“[We told the team] Do it for the seniors. Play for the seniors. It’s their last home game,” French said. “I don’t know when Derby won their last home game, so we wanted to make sure they went out as winners.”
Derby has next week off before they head to Shelton (5 – 4) on Thanksgiving Day at 10:30 am.
