Roundup: Rushins runs for over 200 yards, helps lead Fenwick past Essex Tech

The state?s longest current win streak was extended to 18 games on Saturday but it was by no means easy for Bishop Fenwick.The Crusaders fumbled twice in the first quarter on kickoffs and host Essex Tech took full advantage to jump out to a 12-0 lead. Fenwick, however, was able to right the ship and thanks to over 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns from Rufus Rushins, the Crusaders were able to ease away to a 36-20 victory.?It certainly wasn?t how we drew it up but we settled down a little bit on offense after getting down,” Fenwick coach David Woods said. “We tried to stick to the game plan on offense but defensively we had to adjust and it was good to be able to make those on the fly and see the kids execute them.”The Crusaders (2-0) were set to get the ball to start the game but they failed to cover the opening kick and the Hawks recovered. Moments later, Dan Bailey went 11 yards and Essex had a quick 6-0 lead.Things didn?t get any better on the next kick when the Crusaders fielded it but then fumbled and the Hawks recovered. It didn?t take long for the hosts to strike as quarterback Yordanny Sanchez bolted 23 yards for a stunning 12-0 lead.?(Sanchez) is probably the most athletic quarterback that we?re going to see all season,” Woods said.Fenwick needed a quick response and got it when Rushins scored from the eight and then added the two-point conversion to cut the lead to four. The Fenwick defense then got into the act when Myles Connor took an interception back to the house to give the Crusaders their first lead at 16-12.The Hawks answered back as Sanchez outran the defense on a 59-yard touchdown jaunt to give Essex back the lead but Fenwick took the lead back for good late in the half when Matt Renzulli connected with Aidan Moulton for a nine-yard touchdown and a 22-20 halftime lead.The second half would be dominated by the Crusaders. First, Rushins pounded in from a yard out with Cody Mullen adding the 2-point conversion to make it 30-20. Then Rushins capped the scoring with a 20-yard dash.?We didn?t do a great job on the offensive line. But it showed that we don?t have to block great, we just have to get in the way and Rufus can do the rest,” Woods said. “It wasn?t our best game but it was good to get a win.”BOYS SOCCERWhittier 0, Tech 0At Manning Field, neither team could dent the scoreboard on Saturday. The Tigers (1-4-2) got the shutout in goal from Tyler Beliveau.St. John?s 2, Xaverian 1At Westwood, the Eagles (5-0-1, 2-0-1 Catholic Conference) dominated most of the play but needed a goal from Sam Perel with under two minutes remaining to come away with the two points.Aidan Robinson staked the Prep to a 1-0 lead in the first half on a header following a throw-in.