STA National Showdown 

St. Thomas Aquinas High School #8 faced off against #3 St. John Bosco during Week 1 on ESPN. In the first quarter, St. John Bosco struck with a 50-yard touchdown to Daniel Odom making the score 7-0. After an uneventful 1st quarter, St. John Bosco drove the ball down the field in the second quarter, only to get stopped on the 1-yard line with a solo tackle from Kedrick Burley. Going into halftime, St. John Bosco led 7-0. Entering the 3rd quarter, St. John Bosco received the ball but STA forced an immediate stop causing St. John Bosco to punt. Allen Bryant of STA returned the punt 53 yards, putting the offense in good position to score. On 2nd and 7, STA scored with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Indorf to James Madison II. They then kicked a field goal to tie it up at 7-7. Later in the quarter, St John Bosco kicked a 30-yard field goal making the score 10-7. STA fumbled the kick return and St. John Bosco got the ball back but they ended up going 3 and out. STA received the ball then got a couple yards but eventually gave SJB the ball back. St. John Bosco eventually drove back down the field and scored due to a miscommunication from the STA defense, putting them up 17-7 to start the 4th quarter. The next drive, Jordan Lyle rushed for a 27-yard gain before STA decided to punt the ball.  Saint John Bosco then kicked a 31-yard field goal with 3:25 left on the clock to increase their lead. The game ended with a final score of 20-7. Cornerback Ryan Mack had this to say about the game “We prepared for this game by practicing daily in the heat, bonding with each other, meditating, mobility and weightroom.” As well as “We could improve by taking practice more seriously, doing what’s required of us and go to practice and work hard everyday.”