In only his second varsity start, Michael (Don’t Call Me Mike) Vick of Ferguson completed 13 of 15 passes for 433 yards and four touchdowns Saturday afternoon as the Mariners rolled past Gloucester, 41-11, at Todd Field.
He completed touchdown tosses of 47, 66, 83 and 18 yards in the Mariners’ easy victory.
“Tell people that Ronald Curry” of Hampton High “isn’t the only great freshman quarterback around here,” said Ferguson coach Tommy Reamon after his team moved to 5-4. “We’ve known all along Michael was this good, but we wanted to bring him along slowly and groom him. He’s something else.”
As if Vick’s arm wasn’t enough, Ferguson’s defense simply manhandled Gloucester (1-8). The Dukes totalled minus-1 yard rushing in 17 first-half snaps, with eight rushing plays producing minus yardage. All told, Gloucester rushed for 93 yards and passed for 76.
Ferguson’s first score came on a 47-yard pass from Vick to Marcelleus Harris with 6:18 remaining in the first period. The Mariners threatened moments later, but lost a fumble on first-and-goal at the Gloucester 1.
On their next possession, Vick and Brian Scott connected for a 66-yard touchdown. Ferguson’s third first-half score came on Rayfield Wells’ 2-yard run with 1:02 in the half, a run set up Vick’s 43-yard pass to Harris.
Not surprisingly, the star freshman seemed somewhat overwhelmed by his performance. “I came in with confidence,” Vick said, “but I had no idea I’d do this.” He said he was more nervous in his first career start last weekend against Phoebus. “I wasn’t as nervous today.”
His first-half statistics were impressive enough: five completions in six attempts for 196 yards and two touchdowns. His game totals last week against Phoebus were a modest 2-of-11 for 20 yards and one interception.
In the second half Saturday he completed an 83-yard touchdown pass to Harris and an 18-yarder to Samuel Martin, and a 2-point conversion pass to Earnest Benjamin.
Gloucester didn’t get into plus rushing yardage until Raymond Green rumbled on a 67-yard touchdown with 6:25 left in the third period.
