Football Posts Shutout Victory on Opening Night

It was a perfect night for football under the lights in Cinnaminson and the Pirates made it even better with a 27-0 victory over Liberty division opponent Robbinsville to open the 2015 season.

It was the first time since 2004 and 2005 that the Pirates started with back-to-back wins in two straight seasons. It is also the fourth win in four meetings with Robbinsville.

The Pirates have now outscored Robbinsville 82-0 over the last two games and 155-26 in the four victories.

Cinnaminson got off to a fast start when starting quarterback and punt returner Shaun Davilla scampered 65 yards on a punt return for a touchdown with 5:43 left in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead.

This was the first game of Davilla’s varsity career under center as he moved there from wide receiver.

“After the first series I felt really good,” Davilla said. “I had to slow the game down a lot. I am not used to playing quarterback. It was good though, but I have a lot more work to do.”

Davilla extended the Pirates lead to 14-0 with 9:42 left in the second quarter with a 12-yard touchdown run. Devon Taylor followed with a run for the two-point conversion.

Head coach Mario Patrizi spoke to the team’s youth this season after the win.

“Stepnowski (Frank) is only a junior, Davilla’s only a junior. Schoch (Kevin) is a sophomore. We had a freshman who had a couple of carries back there in Rashad (Raymond). We’re pretty young across the board. It’s a learning curve. I’m happy for the kids and I’m happy with the way things are progressing.”

The Pirates put an exclamation point on the first half when Davilla found Taylor from 49 yards out for a touchdown. Joey Cody hit the extra point to extend the lead to 21-0 with 1:51 remaining.

Davilla threw an interception to go along with his special teams touchdown, passing touchdown and rushing touchdown. The Pirates also lost a fumble in the win.

“It’s a learning curve for him (Davilla),” Patrizi said. “He’s a tremendous athlete. He really is. We will watch the film with him tomorrow morning and Monday he will get right back at it. He’s a big-play kid. He’s a game changer. Once he gets comfortable with the offense, you’re going to see a real good quarterback.”

A potential second interception, which occurred in the endzone, was negated after a penalty on Robbinsville for roughing the passer. The penalty gave the Pirates new life, who scored on the very next play, a 12-yard run from senior running back Naudica Flagg with 9:53 left in the game. After a failed extra point attempt, the Pirates held a 27-0 lead with a stifling defense back on the field.

“We are happy we got the win, but we still have a lot of work to do,” defensive lineman Keith Swartley said. “Smashmouth defense. We play it. Hit ’em in the face. That’s what we do. The potential’s there. We just ‘gotta bring it out.”

Cinnaminson’s defense on Friday night looked to be in mid-season form; recording three sacks, multiple tackles for loss, forcing eight punts and holding Robbinsville’s offense to just 51 yards.

“I think right now, our defense is a little bit above our offense because we have players back on that side of the ball,” Patrizi said. “We prevented the big play. Our defense took away some things they (Robbinsville) were trying to do.”

The Pirates host Willingboro Friday, September 18 at 7pm. Coach Patrizi offered his thoughts on next week’s game against Willingboro.

“You have to take away what they do best; the big play. That’s the key. You have to put them in positions to work downfield. They’re a big play team and that’s the key. Field position, special teams will play a big part in that and controlling the football.”

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