Wagner Seahawks Dominate Virginia Lynchburg 46-7 in Season Opener
The Wagner Seahawks kicked off their 2024 season with a commanding 46-7 victory over Virginia Lynchburg, marking their first season-opening win since 2018. Quarterbacks Jake Cady and Damien Mazil combined for four touchdown passes, while the Seahawks' defense stifled the Dragons, limiting them to just one score. Though Virginia Lynchburg is not an NCAA-affiliated school, the win still showcased Wagner's potential as they look ahead to NEC competition.
Wagner wasted no time establishing dominance, scoring on their second play from scrimmage. Running back Rickey Spruill capped off an 86-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run, giving Wagner an early 7-0 lead. The Seahawks continued to apply pressure, with quarterback Damien Mazil connecting with Jaylen Bonelli on a 20-yard touchdown pass later in the quarter, extending the lead to 14-0.
Wagner’s defense also made its presence felt, forcing a safety and adding a field goal to end the first quarter with a 19-0 lead. The Seahawks' strong start set the tone for the rest of the game.
Virginia Lynchburg managed to respond early in the second quarter with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Jenks to Micah Gantt, closing the gap to 19-7. However, this would be their only score of the game, as Wagner quickly regained control.
Taking over at quarterback, Jake Cady led Wagner on two consecutive scoring drives. The first was a 95-yard march that ended with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Bonelli, who had an outstanding game. The second drive was shorter, with Cady connecting with Sekou Kamau from 4 yards out to extend Wagner’s lead to 32-7 at halftime.
Wagner continued to dominate in the third quarter. Cady connected with Teree McDonald on a 32-yard touchdown pass, making the score 39-7. The Seahawks added another touchdown later in the quarter when Julio Tatis punched it in from 2 yards out, capping a 32-yard drive and bringing the final score to 46-7.
Several Seahawks stood out in this decisive win:
- Jake Cady (QB): Cady completed 4 of 8 passes for 101 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his efficiency and ability to lead scoring drives.
- Damien Mazil (QB): Mazil was also effective, completing 5 of 9 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. His strong start helped set the tone for Wagner’s offense.
- Jaylen Bonelli (WR): Bonelli was the star of the game, with four catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns. His performance highlighted why he was last season’s NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year. He collected four touchdown catches in 2023, and is already halfway to that mark after just one game in 2024.
While Wagner's win over Virginia Lynchburg is a positive start, it's important to note that their opponent is not an NCAA-affiliated school, raising questions about the level of competition. However, the Seahawks' dominant performance, particularly from key players like Cady, Mazil, and Bonelli, provides optimism as they prepare for NEC play.
Wagner's ability to execute on both sides of the ball suggests they could be a strong contender in the NEC this season. The offensive efficiency and defensive tenacity displayed in this opener will be crucial as they face tougher opponents in their conference schedule.
The Wagner Seahawks made a strong statement in their season opener, routing Virginia Lynchburg 46-7. With standout performances from Jake Cady, Damien Mazil, and Jaylen Bonelli, Wagner looks poised to make noise in NEC play. While the level of competition in this game might raise some questions, the Seahawks can build on this victory as they prepare for more challenging matchups ahead.
On Saturday, they’ll have just that as they head into the Patriot League to take on Lehigh in out of conference, Northeast Region play. The Patriot League operates in a very similar region to the NEC, but does allot 20 more scholarships for football. To win, Wagner will have to carry their momentum forward from their win against VUL.
