Kendu Brown leads Erasmus Hall to big win over Curtis in PSAL interborough matchup
Eramus Hall quarterback Kendu Brown drops back to pass in the Dutchmen's 35-19 victory over Curtis. Brown finished 9-for-17 passing with three touchdowns and added a 7-yard rushing touchdown. Credit: James Messerschmidt/James Messerschmidt
After suffering a heartbreaking, double-overtime loss to Curtis in the 4A championship game last year, the Erasmus Hall football team made sure to circle this game on the schedule, calling it "the get-back game."
Mission accomplished.
The Dutchmen handed the visitors from Staten Island its first loss of the season in a 35-19 victory in an interborough matchup Saturday afternoon at Sid Luckman Field in Brooklyn.
"(The team) had a chip on their shoulder because of what happened last year," coach Danny Landberg said of the 27-26 loss. "We should have been champions, and we were the reason why we weren't."
Going into the game, the most points Curtis had allowed in a game was 12, so Erasmus Hall knew it had a challenge on its hands.
"They have a lot of talent but didn't play their best yet," Landberg said of his team. "We had to put things in perspective and start working toward the goal to get back to the champions that we are."
Senior quarterback Kendu Brown opened the scoring early in the first quarter by rushing for a seven-yard touchdown. Brown completed nine of his 17 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns.
"They took a win from us last year and we had to come back to get the win," Brown said. "I came into today knowing every time I see my receivers open, I have to get them the ball."
Curtis (6-1) responded when Vincent Canzoneri found Toriano Lewis for a 41-yard touchdown pass to tie the game in the first.
But the Dutchmen knew they couldn't let Curtis find their rhythm and get back into this game.
Senior wide receiver Justus Murray caught a pass from Brown on a go-route for a 35-yard gain late in the first quarter. Brown hit Murray again as the pocket was collapsing for a 22-yard touchdown to push the score 14-7 and get the crowd on its feet.
"We've been waiting for this day specifically. Even though we got the win, I know the job's not done yet," Murray said. "Each week we come on the field, work hard, and when it's time for gameday, it shows."
Senior running back Jaire Lewis had two scores in the second quarter to give the Dutchmen a comfortable lead going into the second half.
"During the offseason, I was working out with my team," said Lewis, who finished the game with 108 all-purpose yards. "Last year, no one knew who I was, so I had to make a statement today."
Even though Erasmus Hall (5-1) got the victory they needed, Landberg wasn't satisfied and knows the Dutchmen have to clean up their mistakes.
"I'm more concerned about the discipline and the sloppiness," Landberg said. "We haven't played our best game yet. I want these guys to be better men and worry about what's more important to get to the next stage in life."
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
