University School’s physical approach dominates Westminster as Sharks remain unbeaten

The result came to fruition on Thursday night, but the tone was set in the three days of practice this week for NSU University School.

Entering the game, the Sharks pledged to be physical. They elected to play defense against a high-powered Westminster Academy that averaged 31.5 points per the Lions’ first six games.

The aggressive mindset paid off, as University School recovered two fumbles and picked off three passes in a 42-7 rout in a battle of unbeatens.

Belal “Juju” Logan had a remarkable game, intercepting two passes and breaking up at least two passes. The junior added a touchdown reception as well. Safety Devin Mila had a fumble recovery and interception, and linebacker Griffin Pomper recovered a fumble.

“We thought all week, when we’re very physical, some good things could happen for us,” Sharks coach Michael Norman said after his team improved to 7-0. “We’ve been in some physical games, with Saint Andrew’s (Boca Raton), and against North Broward Prep last week. We thought if we could come out and set the tone physically, that we could take advantage of that.”

University edged Saint Andrew’s 14-6 on Sept. 14, and on Oct. 5, they outslugged North Broward Prep, 43-22.

Quarterback Jett Yurgealitis threw five touchdown passes and rushed for another score.

Repeatedly, the offense was set up by the Sharks’ defense.

Logan was all over the field making plays. He also was involved on special teams and did a terrific job covering Westminster’s explosive receivers -- Evan Tempro and Dwayne Wimbley Jr.

“We had three practices this week, and our motive was we wanted to go on defense and set the tone, and stay competitive,” Logan said. “My quarterback and my offense did a great job after we got the stops. We just came out and blew them out.”

The Sharks opened the scoring with a 56-yard touchdown drive capped by Yurgealitis hooking up with Jacques Dixson Jr. for a 7-yard scoring pass.

The extra point was missed, which was one of the rare miscues for the Sharks in any phase of their game.

University School’s defense made a key stop at its own 19-yard line, when the Lions went for a fake field goal on fourth-and-two.

Yurgealitis connected with Logan on a 7-yard TD pass play, and Ian Donahue caught a 14-yard touchdown pass, making it 20-0.

Westminster’s lone touchdown came on Anthony Barbar’s 27-yard touchdown pass to Tempro just 30 seconds before halftime.

In the third quarter, the Sharks unleashed the running game behind Dixson, who added a 51-yard run late in the game.

“It goes back to the defense,” Dixson said. “The defense pulled it off in the game, they helped us with that in practice. They gave us hard work all week, and all year.”

Yurgealitis’s 2-yard scoring run made it 27-7 in the third quarter. Carlos Avila-Lopez made a terrific catch on a deflected ball in the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown, giving the Sharks a 34-7 advantage.

“I think we also can be a lot more than just this score,” Yurgealitis said. “We’re just getting started. We’re not looking to slow down any time soon.”

University School capped the scoring with Bradyn Potter catching an 8-yard pass, and the converted 2-point conversion created a running clock in the final 6 minutes.

With the loss, Westminster fell to 6-1. For University School, the win was a statement.