In football, John Jay Wolves crush Port Chester, 42-0

John Jay quarterback Jonluke Arefieg carries across the goal line. JIM MACLEAN PHOTOS

By JIM MACLEAN 

A week late, but the home crowd walked away very happy on homecoming day at John Jay. The original homecoming was supposed to be a week earlier, but was canceled due to the weather. So John Jay hosted Port Chester on Oct. 3, and the Wolves pounced on the opportunity, dominating from start to finish for a 42-0 shutout victory.

John Jay had five different players score touchdowns, and there were big plays made on both sides of the ball all game. It was a fun night for the Wolves, especially the seniors on senior night, as they were able to celebrate a homecoming win on the field with the fans for the first time in three years. With the win, John Jay improved to 3-2 overall on the season.

“We did a good job refocusing, senior night and homecoming getting postponed. It came out a little sloppy, but it’s a good learning experience,” said John Jay coach Brendan Connolly. “To play in front of the homecoming crowd under the lights and be successful, it’s nice to see them have fun. We’re a long way from where we want to be, but we’re taking positive steps.”

Chase Carvajal picks up positive yardage.

John Jay wasted no time setting the tone on defense to start the game. Port Chester started at its own 20-yard line and gained no yards on three plays and punted, setting the Wolves up at the Rams 32-yard line. First play from scrimmage Chase Carvajal broke free for a big run and a first down at the 20-yard line.

Two plays later, senior Jeremy Walerys carried it in for a 12-yard touchdown, and Walerys then converted the point after touchdown to make it 7-0. It was the first touchdown of his football career after playing soccer throughout his life and high school career. Now, he wants to play football in college as a kicker.

“Oh my God, my first touchdown ever, that was so amazing, especially on homecoming, senior night, it was so electric,” admitted Walerys. “I played soccer for 14 years and started football three months ago. Crossing that goal line was unbelievable, everyone gathers around you, tapping helmets, such a great feeling.”

It didn’t take long for John Jay to strike again. The defense did its job again stopping Port Chester and John Jay took over on the Rams 39-yard line.

On the first play, Carvajal broke free again and raced to the end zone for a 39-yard touchdown carry and a 14-0 lead after Walerys converted the PAT.

The Wolves' gang tackling stifled any Rams scoring drive.

A few minutes later, John Jay struck again starting at the Port Chester 16-yard line. This time Carvajal broke free on the first play down to the two-yard line. Quarterback Jonluke Arefieg carried it in on the next play for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead with 1:49 left in the first quarter.

On John Jay’s first drive of the second quarter, it was senior Steven Almstead’s turn to shine on offense as he caught three passes from Arefieg, the final one was a 5-yard touchdown reception to make it 28-0.

“I really wanted to score on that drive, coach kept feeding me the ball and made it happen,” Almstead said of his touchdown catch. “We haven’t won a homecoming game in three years, so it’s nice to come in here, new coaching staff, new team, and take it.”

The Wolves continued to make big plays on defense as Walerys came up with an interception to stop one Port Chester drive, and Michael Chiappa also had an interception to end the first half.

John Jay didn’t lose any momentum waiting for the homecoming half time activities to finish. The Wolves took over after the second half kick off at their own 42-yard line, and on the first play Carvajal broke free again and thought he had scored another touchdown, but he was ruled out of bounds at the 1-yard line after a 57-yard carry. Carvajal had a big night, gaining 128 yards on just seven carries overall.

“Keep running, can’t go down, that was the mindset all game, just keep driving the feet forward,” explained Carvajal. “This is big for us to put up a score like that on homecoming, it’s a night to remember.”

On the next play, senior Ryan Ramirez carried it in for the touchdown to make it 35-0. Ramirez wasn’t done yet as he scored again for the Wolves in the fourth quarter on a 27-yard touchdown carry. Ramirez is another former soccer player in his first season of football as a senior, and they let him kick the PAT to make the final score 42-0.

Connolly also praised the effort of his offensive line with Dion Prelvukaj, Kyle Halsey, Chiappa, Will Watstein and Cody Jones clearing the way for the big plays on offense.

John Jay will have another big week ahead as the Wolves were set to host rival Fox Lane as the Foxes come to town with an undefeated record on Friday night, Oct. 9.