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By Anthony Parelli
Brooklyn Daily
Erasmus Hall’s two workhorse running backs delivered again last Saturday, and they even broke a couple of school records.
Seniors Kahlil Lewin and Curtis Samuel combined for more than 300 yards on the ground in the defending Public School Athletic League city champion’s 34–6 victory over visiting Kennedy in City conference quarterfinals at Sid Luckman Field. Erasmus hosts No. 3 Tottenville Saturday at noon in the semifinals.
“They’ve been that way all year,” Dutchman coach Danny Landberg said of the duo.
After getting off to a slow start, the two-headed monster of Lewin and Samuel got going as they ran through Kennedy during on a 96-yard drive.
A 39-yard Lewin run and his eventual four-yard touchdown highlighted how important he is to the team, with two touchdowns and more than 150 yards rushing total for the game.
“[Lewin has] been the MVP of the program all year,” said Landberg.
Following a fumble by Kennedy quarterback Anthony Cruz, Samuel made his presence felt with a 23-yard run to the four, whence he would eventually carry it to pay dirt to give Erasmus a 14–0 lead. Samuel will be attending Ohio State next year.
Erasmus (10–1) constantly mixed up their formations to keep the Knights defense on its toes, during the course of the game. Samuel lined up as quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
“That’s tough,” Lewin said on finding a better tandem than him and Samuel. “You’d have to show me. I’d like to see it.”
Lewin added his final score with 36 seconds remaining in the first half when he took a handoff, broke two tackles, and then simply outran the entire Kennedy defense en route to an 86-yard touchdown to give his team a 21–0 lead.
The score, Lewin’s 18th of the season, broke the single-season touchdown record for Erasmus Hall.
The second half started off with Kennedy (7–4) recovering an onside kick and driving down the field, capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Demetrius Wade. Erasmus responded immediately with a drive of their own and shocked everyone by scoring on their only completed pass of the game, a 40-yard strike from Daiquan Gwyn to Darin Peart.
Samuel busted a 96-yard run for he game’s final score after the Erasmus defense stopped Kennedy at their 4-yard line following a long drive. That run was a new record for Erasmus.
“They’ve stepped up like that all year, I’m proud of them,” Landberg said. “They make the big play when it matters.”