Lehman football's Adonis Pridgen has two INTs, including a pick-6 in PSAL win over John Adams
Lehman’s Riley Suarez dodges John Adams defenders during a football game at Evander Childs Field in the Bronx on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Credit: Libby O'Neill
Lehman football is looking to flip the script. The Lions went winless a year ago but have already won their second game of the season.
Junior Adonis Pridgen intercepted two passes, including one he returned for a touchdown, as host Lehman defeated John Adams, 30-8, in PSAL 3A football Saturday.
“I feel like our team has brought up the intensity to another level from last year,” junior quarterback Marquis Davis said. “The communication between our teammates, off the field, on the field, everyone’s just working their absolute hardest.”
Lehman (2-1) forced four turnovers, including three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Richard Fana had an interception and Devyn Hall recovered a fumble.
Julian Ortiz opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-1. Davis then connected with sophomore Aijames Flores-Perez for a 40-yard touchdown pass to help Lehman build a 16-0 lead.
John Adams (0-3) would cut Lehman's lead to 16-8 at halftime, after junior quarterback Nicholas Villanueva connected with Jaden Dennison for a 60-yard score.
“We got our young guys getting a lot of good experience.” John Adams coach Stephen Pineda said.” They played hard, we just got to learn how to win.”
Pridgen, a first-year varsity starter who played on junior varsity last season, delivered a momentum-shifting play to open the second half.
He recognized a short pass, broke toward the receiver and jumped in front of the throw for a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown. Lehman extended its lead to 24-8.
“It was just like a rush of adrenaline flowing through my body.” Pridgen said. “It was amazing.”
“It was definitely demoralizing. Pineda said. “You come out in the second half, you have the game plan in, and we trust our playmakers but we should have made a different read.”
Brandon Colon added a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Ortiz, Colon and Riley Suarez led Lehman’s rushing attack, helping the Lions consistently move the chains.
“All three backs ran really hard today,” Lehman coach Joe Houghton said. “They picked up some tough yards, some long runs, and they moved the ball up and down the field for us.”
Houghton said the Lions have returned to emphasizing blocking, tackling and running the football after relying heavily on their passing game last season.
“We just got back to basics this year,” Houghton said. “That’s what’s definitely made us more successful so far.”
The Lions will look to carry that momentum into a challenging stretch of their schedule that includes Sheepshead Bay and Eagle Academy III (Queens).
“People said we were the underdogs today,” Pridgen said. “There’s more to come.”
