Peyton Robinson throws 4 TDs to lead Long Island Lutheran over Xaverian
Long Island Lutheran's quarterback Peyton Robinson rolls out to pass during a Nassau non-league football game against Xaverian of Brooklyn in Brookville on Saturday, September 14, 2024. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
When paired with a dominant defense that can set the tone early, Long Island Lutheran quarterback Peyton Robinson is nearly unstoppable.
Following an interception by Kaiere Griffon on the first play of the opening drive, Robinson went on to complete 16 of 26 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns in Long Island Lutheran’s 46-20 win over visiting Xaverian in a non-league football game Saturday afternoon. Robinson's four touchdown throws went for 49, 79, 54 and 15 yards.
“Without my teammates, I wouldn’t be able to do what I did today,” Robinson said. “Our offensive line did an unbelievable job. They blocked hard from the start and got enough of a push against the defensive line to give me enough room to make those long throws. I saw the opportunities when they opened, and I was able to hit them.”
Long Island Lutheran (2-0) held Xaverian out of the end zone in all but the second quarter. Kareem Grey rushed 16 times for 76 yards and two touchdowns, including a 14-yard run that gave the Crusaders a 7-0 lead in the first quarter after Lucas Francisque added the extra point kick. Xaverian (1-2) quarterback Terrance Watson answered with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 7-6 with 11:18 left in the first half.
Robinson responded with a 49-yard touchdown strike to Kameron Roy (6 catches for 144 yards) to cap a four-play, 65-yard drive and extend the lead to 13-6. LuHi then forced a 3-and-out, and Robinson found wide receiver Jason Butler for a stunning 79-yard pass on the ensuing drive with 7:38 left. Grey ran in the two-point conversion to make it 21-6.
“[Grey] gives us another threat on the outside along with Jacob Butler,” coach Chris Reno said. “It’s two deep threats the defense has to worry about, and it’s made our offense much more dynamic.”
Xaverian’s Watson added a 5-yard rushing touchdown before the two-point conversion attempt was batted down by Alonzo Riddick. Robinson then completed a 54-yard pass to Roy on the outside and Watson’s final 4-yard touchdown pass to Christian Larocca with 16 seconds left in the first half made it 27-20.
Robinson connected with Roy again for a 15-yard strike before Grey rushed 4 yards for a score in the third quarter. Griffon added a 20-yard run in the fourth quarter for the Crusaders.
Xaverian quarterback Terrance Watson was strip-sacked twice by Trevor Benjamin Jr. and Riddick (6 tackles). James Crawford led the defense with nine tackles.
“There’s a lot of athleticism on our team,” Butler said. “We’re a complete unit.”
