ILS-Belen Football Game Rescheduled To Saturday

Photo+by+Sixto+Pacheco

Photo by Sixto Pacheco

Anthony Yero, Co-Editor-In-Chief

Immaculata-LaSalle’s home football game against Belen Jesuit scheduled for Friday has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 7, the school confirmed on Twitter.

The news comes after LaSalle’s match versus Calvary Christian was canceled last week.

The Royal Lions (2-1) will face Belen (2-3), in search of their first victory over the program since 1997.

“I look forward to ending the losing streak of LaSalle,” said sophomore Dairo Melendez. “This is the team to end that streak.”

Unlike in years past, Belen’s football program is no longer led by Don Chaney Jr., who’s now a running back at the University of Miami. Chaney rushed for over 100 yards in a 42-20 preseason victory over ILS in 2018.

Belen has garnered victories over Archbishop McCarthy (45-0) and St. Brendan (27-14) this season, while falling to Gulliver Prep (42-7), Somerset Academy Silver Palms (46-20) and Cardinal Newman (15-3). The Royal Lions dropped their season-opener to St. Brendan, a team that Belen defeated, so they’ll need to adjust accordingly.

ILS is currently riding a two-game winning streak, their first since September 23, 2019, following their blowout victory over Mater Academy on November 23. A win over Belen would make it three-consecutive W’s, which would be the first time since October 10, 2016.

The Royal Lions have sported a dominant rushing attack this season, as they average 256.7 rushing yards per game and have scored nine rushing touchdowns. Junior running back Jarrod Carr leads ILS with 166.3 rushing yards per game this season. He’s scored five rushing touchdowns thus far. Junior running back Jude Servius averages 61.7 rushing yards per game and has scored three touchdowns.

Senior linebacker Kama Jackson IV leads the team with 8.5 tackles per game on the defensive side of the ball. Junior linebacker Eric Islami leads the team in total tackles, with 22 through three games. Jackson and senior Jeronimo Candeo are tied for the team lead in sacks, with two apiece. Sophomore Demetrius Johnson leads the team with two interceptions.

Following their match versus Belen, ILS will host Somerset Academy South Homestead (0-4) on Friday, November 13, and Everglades Preparatory Academy (0-3) on Saturday, November 21 before closing their season on the road at North Broward Prep (0-1) on December 4.

There’s a real chance the ILS Royal Lions football team finishes their 2020 season with a 6-1 or 5-2 record. That would be the program’s best record since 2016, when the team went 7-3 under then head coach Matt Dillon.