Patterson defeats Mervo 6-0 in Homecoming showdown |

Patterson defeats Mervo 6-0 in Homecoming showdown

Posted on October 24, 2011 by pattersonpress405 Leave a comment

Touchdown Patterson! (Photo: Patterson Press)

The Patterson Clippers varsity football team beat the Mergenthaler Vo-Tech Mustangs 6-0 at Patterson’s Homecoming game, on Friday, October 14th. After hours of bold drives and solid defense by both teams, the Clippers broke the deadlock with a 4th quarter touchdown by quarterback Craig Oliver (#1), who finished the day with 22 yards rushing and 61 yards passing.

A boisterous crowd of Clippers fans cheered the team on, led by the chants of the brand new Patterson cheerleading squad. A sea of blue occupied the stands as students, teachers, staff, alumni and community members packed the house, many sporting vintage Patterson sports jerseys on sale that week by the school’s athletic department. Some fans may have noticed former Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden standing on the sidelines. Ogden mentors Patterson Students through a nonprofit organization he runs.

The game was not without its tense moments. An interception by Mervo in the first half of the game threatened to put them in the lead, but the Clippers’ defense kept them from scoring. Again and again, a wall of blue uniforms put a halt to the Mustangs’ charges. Derwin Beasley (#2) led the defense with an impressive 12 tackles while also leading the team in rushing, carrying the ball 79 yards. Not to be overlooked, Pete Carter (#4) led in receptions, connecting with the ball 3 times for a gain of 24 yards.

With this victory over Mervo, the Clippers now own a 5-2 record. Next they face the Southwestern Sabers, who are trying to rebound from a 34-7 loss to Poly. Last year, Patterson devastated Southwestern with a 52-0 shutout. Time will tell if they can do it again.