WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Navy sprint football team (2-0) captured the first star of the 2019-20 campaign as the Midshipmen posted a 14-7 victory over Army West Point (1-1) at Shea Stadium in West Point, N.Y. as part of the Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA. The Mids trailed 7-0 at halftime, but used a pair of scores, including a pick six, and lock-down defense to post the victory.
"Our defense did a great job," Major Jason Dewald, USMC said after the game. "They played lights out. They came up with crucial turnovers that set the tone for the whole game. The offense struggled early, but were able to find a rhythm. Chmiel to Ram was a thing of beauty."
"There was no quit in this team," Dewald added. "They constantly believed in each other despite being down 7-0 at the half. I think it is great for Sprint to set the tone for the Brigade with the Star Series. We were unable to get the Star last year so for our guys to come out and get it this year, it is special."
Defensively, Navy held Army to 290 total yards, including 219 passing yards and 71 rushing yards. The Midshipmen recorded four interceptions – all in the second half – and caused a pair of fumbles. In addition, the Mids' defense caused seven pass break ups and tallied 25 yards lost on 4.0 sacks.
In the second half, the Navy defense was a thorn in the Army West Point side. The Midshipmen caused five turnovers – four interceptions and a fumble – and two three-and-outs on the Black Knights' seven possessions in the second half.
Senior captain Troy Monroe (Columbus, Ga.) paced the team with 12 total tackles, including eight solo stops. He registered four tackles for loss (42 yards), including a pair of sacks (22 yards). Monroe was joined by David Postma (Bellevue, Wash.) who added eight tackles, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Tied 7-7, Postma scored his second defensive score of the year as he intercepted an Army pass and returned it 14 yards for the game-winning score. Postma was joined by Pat Guinan (Elmhurst, Ill.), Grant Hooper (Huntingtown, Md.), and Adam Weissenfels (Richland, Wash.) who each recorded second half interceptions to end Black Knight drives and help secure the win.
Offensively, The Midshipmen struggled to find a rhythm tallying just 123 total yards. The Mids rushed for 56 yards, while throwing for 67. Caleb Champion (Milton, Fla.) and Braydan Chmiel (Warrenton, Mo.) led the way with 20 yards apiece on the ground. Chmiel finished 4-for-12 for 67 yards and a touchdown passing. The touchdown came as Chmiel hit Ramesh Nagarajah (Boston, Mass.) in the side of the end zone to tie the game early in the third quarter.
Both teams were hampered by penalties as Navy was whistled for eight penalties for 74 yards and Army was flagged five times for 171 yards.
In the first half, the defenses for both teams shined. Neither team was able to consistently move the ball and scratch the scoreboard. The Black Knights broke the scoreless tie with 44 seconds remaining in the first half. Ryan Sullivan completed a pass to Nitai Chun for eight yards and the first score of the game. Seppi Ortman tacked on the extra point to give the hosts a 7-0 advantage heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, Navy was able to find the back of the end zone. Chmiel found Nagarajah for 20 yards and the TD to knot the game at 7-7 with six minutes remaining in the period. The Midshipmen took the lead nearly four minutes later as Postma intercepted a Sullivan pass and rambled 14 yards into the end zone to give Navy a 14-7 lead.
The Midshipmen relied on strong defense, intercepting three more passes to end Black Knight drives and picking up a fumble on Army's final play from scrimmage.