Sprint Football sings second after 17-3 win over Navy

By Army Athletic Communications Date: Tuesday, Oct 08, 2024 Time: 22:32 EST
The Army West Point Sprint Football team scored 17 unanswered points enroute to its second consecutive Star Game win and 17-3 victory over Navy on Oct. 4. (Photo provided by Army Athletic Communications)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Army West Point Sprint Football team scored 17 unanswered points enroute to its second consecutive Star Game win and 17-3 victory over Navy on Oct. 4.

The Black Knight defense was the story of the game. They forced four turnovers and only allowed 86 passing yards. Navy went on a 60-yard drive to kick a field goal to open the game, then never scored again.

The first half was a defensive slug fest. On the second Navy drive, Brayheem Swanson forced a fumble that was recovered by Louis Petkus at the Navy seven-yard-line. Army would be held to a field goal attempt but after a botched hold, the Midshipmen still led 3-0.

The Black Knight defense did its job once again, forcing two more Navy punts. With 9:57 left in the second quarter, a steady dose of Kyle West passing led the Black Knights right down the field. They found pay dirt when West hit Arthur Lavalais on a wheel route for a six-yard touchdown, giving the Black Knights a 7-3 lead. 

Both defenses would dig their heels in for the remainder of the half, each forcing one more punt and one turnover as the Black Knights took a 7-3 lead into the locker room at halftime. Army outgained the Midshipmen, 145-89, in the first 30 minutes and led them in passing yards, 106-13.

The second half was much of the same. Army's defense pitched a shutout, allowing 141 yards compared to Army's 174.

West found Ben Deloit on a skinny post for a 50-yard touchdown with 4:58 left in the third quarter to make it a 14-3 ball game. With 11:20 to go in the fourth, Nicholas Cueto drilled a 38-yard field goal, the first of his career.

Two Midshipmen fumbles and a turnover on downs would end in Army running out the clock for its second consecutive Star Series victory. 

In his first career Star Game start, Kyle West showed out. The sophomore quarterback went for 234 yards and two touchdowns through the air, tacking on another 28 yards on the ground. The ball was spread all around through the air, with six different Black Knights catching a pass. Deloit led the way with 99 yards.

Army moved to 2-0 winning its games by a combined score of 52-3. This is the fewest points allowed through two games by the Black Knights since 2017, when they opened the season with two shutouts.