By Jermiyah Douglas, John Myhre, and Caleb Harris
Saint Thomas Aquinas and Cardinal Gibbons have been rivals since both schools were created. The JV game took place at Saint Thomas Aquinas on October 5, 2022. Although St. Thomas was favored to win, Cardinal Gibbons was not going to be an easy team to beat.
-Team walking out before the Game
Cardinal Gibbons was able to stop St. Thomas by getting a 3 and out. Cardinal Gibbons kept pushing against the Raiders defense and was able to score a 40 yard passing touchdown, but they missed the extra point. When the STA offense came back out, their running back broke away for a 17 yard run and a 1st down. STA got down into the red zone, but settled for a field goal putting them on the board with the score being 6-3. Cardinal Gibbons was forced to punt on the next possession and got the ball back after STA punted, giving them another chance on offense. Gibbons made a good run, putting them on the 18 yard line, but their quarterback threw an interception during the next play, giving STA the ball back late in the second quarter.
With 5 minutes left in the 2nd half, STA had a 35 yard pass, putting them in a good place to score. STA made a game-tying field goal, bringing the score 6-6. With a minute and 30 seconds left in the half, Gibbons went down the field and scored a touchdown, but was unable to score on the two point conversion, putting them up 12-6. With 12 seconds left in the game, Gibbons kicked the ball off and STA ran for a 75 yard touchdown. The score was 13-12, with STA in the lead at the end of the 1st half.
-Jermiyah Douglas running it in for a 75-yd touchdown
The 2nd half started off with STA kicking off to Gibbons. A good return put them on the 45 yard line. Cardinal Gibbons got another good run, putting them on the opposing 40 yard line.Gibbons received a few penalties which forced them to punt, giving STA a chance to expand their lead. STA got a 17-yd run putting them in a good position to score. STA tried to settle for a field goal, but Gibbons blocked the kick and it put Cardinal Gibbons on the opposing 40 yard line.
Gibbons couldn’t do anything with the ball and decided to go for it on the 4th down. STA stayed strong on defense and stopped them, giving STA the ball back. STA kept trying to run the ball, but they were not able to get much out of it, causing them to punt once again. Gibbons got the ball back and made a 48 yard throw putting them in scoring position. STA stuck to the run game and finally broke for a big 74 yard run putting them at the 6 yard line.
STA continued running the ball and was able to get it in for a touchdown. The Raiders went up 20-12. Gibbons got the ball back and tried to make a play on the 4th down but ended up just giving STA the ball in the red zone. STA was forced to punt. Going for a deep ball, STA was able to get an interception, giving them more time to run the clock down. STA gave Gibbons one last chance after they punted on 4th down. Cardinal Gibbons was unable to make it all the way, ending the game 20-12, STA.
-STA walking off the field after a win.
Photos from: aquinasathletics.smugmug.com