SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY DOTSON FAMILY
PHOTOS BY FELICIA LAGUERRE OWENS
The National Football League held its 59th Super Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans, featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and back to back defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Despite losing to KC two years, Philly was ready this time, and delivered a shocking 40-22 defeat to the champs, thwarting their attempt at an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl win.
Leading the Eagles to their second ever Big Game win was MVP Jalen Hurts, who went 17-22 for 291 yards and 3 TDs in the air and 50 yards on the ground. Hurts scored the first touchdown on a “Brotherly Shove” sneak. Then, after a Jake Elliott a 48 yard field goal to make it 10-0, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes threw an interception that rookie and birthday Copper DeJean ran back for a 38 yard TD, making it 17-0. Mahomes, who many consider as the best in the game, threw another interception, which led to a Hurts TD pass to AJ Brown, making it 24-0 right before the half.
After a polarizing halftime show by Pulitzer Prize and 22 time grammy winner Kendrick Lamar, the 2nd half began. After Mahomes and the Chiefs failed on 4th down, Hurts tossed a dagger to Devonta Smith, running the score up to 31-0. Eventually, Kansas City would get on the board, but it too late to stop Philadelphia from lifting the Lombardi Trophy.
While Hurts was the MVP, that honor could have gone to the Eagles defensive line, which sacked Mahomes several times, and forced him into two interceptions and a lost fumble. Former NY Giants running back Saquon Barkley was relatively quiet, but made key blitz pickups that ruined the plans of Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and DE Chris Jones, who had no impact on the game. Giants fans may remember Spagnuolo from his time as coordinator of Big Blue Super Bowl winning defense that took down the Patriots.
Not only was Taylor Swift denied the chance to see her boyfriend Travis Kelce win another ring, but she was booed loudly at the game. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump became the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl.
Finally, a local favorite player and Essex County native made a difference for the winners, as former East Orange junior jaguar Jahan Dotson showed up big for the Eagles.
In other sports, the Seton Hall women’s squad continue their incredible winning streak this past Saturday against Xavier 72-47. Faith Masonius put up 16 points and 4 rebounds, while teammates Jada Eads had 13 points and 5 rebounds and Savannah Catalon had 17 points for The Hall. Catalon was named to the Big East weekly honor roll.
SHU shot 49 percent from the floor, and scored 13 points off of turnovers. The Pirates are in 3rd place in the Big East standings with a 9-3 conference record and 17-6 overall, with a decent looking Tournament resume.
In this year’s Essex County Tournament quarterfinals, the Payne Tech boys basketball team won their 11th straight game, beating East Orange 86-68. Leading Payne Tech was Gerald Edwells with 29 points and 21 rebounds. East Orange was led by Robert Foster with 17 points and nine rebounds. Payne Tech will play Arts High School in the semifinals. Arts previously defeated Montclair 72-42. Meanwhile, top seeded Seton Hall Prep will play St. Benedict’s Prep in the other semifinal game.
As for the girls bracket, University High will play top seeded Montclair Immaculate this Saturday. University beat Caldwell 77-41. In the other game, West Orange will battle Glen Ridge.
