The Peglegs Prevail in Season Opener

With very high expectations coming off a successful 2018 year and facing a solid team in an away game, the Peglegs could’ve faltered under pressure. However, on a bright and sunny afternoon, the Peglegs, Stuyvesant’s football team, outlasted the Long Island City High School’s Bulldogs in a 28-22 victory this past Saturday. This slim margin of victory doesn’t accurately convey the narrative of the game. Through the first three quarters, spectators saw the same Peglegs team that finished the prior season with a dominant 8-1 record. The team entered the fourth quarter riding the quarterback-running back tandem of seniors Lucas Dingman and Franklin Liou; they also had a superb defensive showing, letting up only eight points. However, the defense began to implode when the fourth quarter rolled around. It began with minor injuries due to the toll of the first three quarters, and the second-team defense was unable to produce at the level the first-teamers had, allowing the Bulldogs to put up 14 points. In the end, though, it was not enough, as the Peglegs were able to close the game at 28-22 for a promising victory against a team that was a respectable 6-3 the prior season.

Dingman picked up right where he left off from his great 2018 season, throwing for 213 yards on 14 out of 25 completions and four touchdowns in the air, spreading the ball around with four different receivers—each grabbing a touchdown. The four receiving touchdowns were set up by the ground game and were provided by Liou, who picked up 93 yards on 16 carries. This perfect balance of air and ground offense allowed for the Peglegs to rack up 28 points.

Senior and captain Clement Chan believes the minor flaws shown by the team during the game will be erased with more chemistry among the student-athletes. “Our team chemistry will allow us to prevail. We’ve been playing together for the past two to three years, so we’re a well-oiled machine,” he said. This “team chemistry” will be tested on September 13 when the Peglegs will face the Judges of Benjamin N. Cardozo High School. The Judges, who finished 7-2 in 2018, are a formidable opponent who reached the semi-finals last year and are currently 1-0 with a 21-18 victory over Beach Channel Educational Campus this past Friday. The two teams squared off last year with the Peglegs edging out the Judges in a close 25-20 victory, and it is sure to be another close one this Friday. With a win in their home opener and against a tough team like Cardozo, the Peglegs have the chance to start the year off strong and ultimately cruise into the playoffs.