The Crusaders topped Thanksgiving rival Abraham Lincoln, 40-6.
Shane Dooley and Katob Joseph have been the offensive stars all year for the Father Judge football team, and Thanksgiving was no different.
Dooley ran for two touchdowns and threw a 32-yard TD pass to Dan Foy, while Joseph ran for two scores in Judge’s 40-6 victory over Abraham Lincoln.
Senior two-way lineman Justin Martinez, named his team’s winner of the Sportsmanship Award, was glad to play a role in the victory.
“It was a good wrap-up of the season,” he said. “We needed to win for the seniors. We’re honored to come out with the win. It was my last game here. It was an honor to put on the Judge uniform.”
Judge won for the 29th time in a row and leads the overall series, 41-3-1. Lincoln last won in 1989.
The Crusaders finished 3-8, while Lincoln ended 7-4.
Martinez, a left guard and defensive tackle who lives in Lawncrest, said records don’t matter because of his team’s tough Catholic League schedule.
“We face Prep and La Salle,” he said, naming two of four tough Red Division opponents.
Martinez and the offensive line dominated, helping Joseph gain 140 yards on 11 carries. He scored on runs of 45 and 7 yards.
“We just overwhelmed them,” said Martinez, giving credit to offensive line coach Vince LoStracco for teaching technique and getting the guys in the weight room.
Martinez, who throws the shot put for the track and field team, enjoyed blocking for Dooley, who ran for scores of 1 and 15 yards and threw for 102 yards. Dooley also returned the opening kickoff 31 yards to set up a touchdown and played his usual outstanding defense at safety. He was named his team’s Most Valuable Player.
“He’s been great all season,” Martinez said.
Dooley’s brother, Aiden, ran for a 3-yard touchdown after coming in at quarterback in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, Joseph and Patrick Tomes had interceptions and Shane McGovern had a pass break-up in the end zone.
Judge coach Mike McKay praised Martinez, a second team All-Catholic on defense.
“He’s been a good two-way starter for us for two years,” he said.
McKay will, of course, miss Joseph and Shane Dooley.
“They’re our main two guys. Katob has all the talent in the world,” he said. “Shane is a great leader and a great team player. He’s committed and dedicated. You can’t ask for a better guy.”
In all, Judge will lose 13 seniors. McKay is looking forward to the return of 11 juniors, 26 sophomores and eight freshmen.
“Replacing Shane and Katob will be a big deal,” he said.
Lincoln’s only score came on a 6-yard pass from Luis Nazario to Dieumaltre Devine. Devine also intercepted a pass in the end zone.
Kyle Powell was the Lincoln MVP after gaining 107 yards on 14 carries.
Joel Pagan, who played well despite injuring his ankle in practice two days before the game, won the Sportsmanship Award.
Lincoln coach Ed McGettigan knew it would be a challenge for his offense to move the ball with Judge having all 11 defenders at or near the line of scrimmage.
“We ran the ball good in the beginning of the game,” he said. “We have three or four good running backs. We’re confident in all our running backs.”
McGettigan said Joseph and Dooley made the difference on offense, adding that Joseph is the best running back his team has faced and Dooley will make a nice college player.
As for the Railsplitters, they’ll lose nine seniors. Powell and Pagan will be among those graduating. McGettigan described them as coaches on the field.
“They were really pleasant surprises. They were a joy to have on the team,” he said.
The coach was pleased with the progress of Nazario, his sophomore quarterback.
“He really improved throughout the year. He started every game. He’s tough. He took some shots but didn’t come off the field.”
Other top returnees for Lincoln will include wide receiver/defensive back Naseym Ferguson, offensive lineman Leonard Brooks, fullback Travell Hall and defensive end/wide receiver Jordan Gombs, all juniors. ••
