Yurgealitis hits two long touchdown passes as University School edges St. Andrew’s, stays undefeated

BOCA RATON — University School senior quarterback Jett Yurgealitis passed for 192 yards and two touchdowns and the Sharks defense created three turnovers as they held off host St. Andrew’s 14-6 to remain unbeaten on Thursday night.

Yurgealitis connected with junior wide receiver Belal “JuJu” Logan for a 41-yard touchdown in the second quarter and a 74-yard score in the third quarter.

St. Andrew’s (3-1) trailed 14-6 with 2:22 left and took over on offense after University School (4-0) missed a 32-yard field goal attempt. Senior quarterback Dylan Mayers fired back-to-back 20-yard completions to junior wide receiver Teddy Hoffmann to reach the Sharks 40-yard line. The Scots were unable to convert on fourth-and-2 at the Sharks’ 7 after an incomplete pass toward the back left corner of the end zone.

Michael Norman, who is a former defensive coordinator at St. Andrew’s, is in his third season as the head coach at University School. He praised his team’s effort and strong start to the season. Last year, the Scots routed the Sharks 42-6.

“I am very happy with the progress we have made,” Norman said. “The kids have been working hard since day one. They’re buying into the process and it’s showing and translating on the field. I was really happy with the way our defense played for most of the game. We made a play at the end when we needed it. This is a huge win for us. For our program, it’s a notch on our belt as far as getting back to where we need to be.”

Yurgealitis has stepped up to lift the team with 17 touchdowns passes in four games.

“Jett is a tremendous leader on the field and in the classroom,” Norman said. “He has really been tremendous in this rebuilding process.  I am really happy with the way he is developing.”

Mayers finished the contest with 162 passing yards and 83 rushing yards, including a 13-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Hoffmann had six catches for 126 yards.

Jackson Parke had a 64-yard kickoff return to open the game to reach the Sharks 26. The Scots lost a fumble at the 10 after a completed pass as the Sharks recovered the ball at the 3.

Mayers bounced out to his right and turned upfield for a 13-yard touchdown run to give the Scots a 6-0 advantage with 11:50 left in the second quarter. The Scots missed on a two-point conversion attempt.

The Sharks responded as Yurgealitis delivered a deep pass down the middle of the field that was hauled in by Logan for a 41-yard score to make it 7-6 with 5:46 left in the first half.

Mayers had a 35-yard touchdown pass to Parke called back after a holding penalty later in the first half. The Scots lost a fumble on the drive after the ball was stripped out after a completion.

The Scots blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt late in the first half as they trailed 7-6 entering halftime.

The Sharks quickly jumped ahead 14-6 on the second play of the third quarter. Yurgealitis found Logan wide open downfield for a 74-yard score with 11:40 left in the third.

“We talked about it at halftime and got the play we wanted,” Logan said. “We are a way better team this year. The Sharks are coming back.”

The Sharks controlled the time of possession for the majority of the fourth quarter.

“I really think that we knew how to finish and we had discipline,” Yurgealitis said. “We practiced all week to never be satisfied and it actually showed with how we played to the last whistle. We have each other’s back on this team and we fight for each other. I am having the time of my life.”

Junior running back Jacques Dixson also led the Sharks offense with 120 rushing yards.

“I just wanted it and worked hard and everybody did amazing,” Dixson said. “I love our team. We are going to keep working and we are not satisfied yet.”

St. Andrew’s lost three fumbles on offense in the loss.

“They’re a well-coached team,” St. Andrew’s coach Jimmy Robertson said. “We put ourselves in bad situations and with the turnovers. They capitalized on our mistakes. We had a chance to go into another overtime and we couldn’t finish this time. Hats off to them for a great defensive stand. This game will humble us and we will learn from it to make us a better team.”