This Friday, Oct. 10, the St. Xavier Tigers defeated the Crimsons’ varsity football team. The game was the team’s senior night and was designated a toga theme by the Crimson Crazies.
First Half:
The captains met for the coin toss, and St. X received the opening kickoff. The Tigers started on their own 26-yard line. The Tigers crept forward, but Darien Allen (#19, 12) forced them out of bounds. In their next attempt, Dahmarie Wilson (#1, 11) led the tackle, and the Tigers gained little yardage.
Despite this, the Tigers completed their first down and gained one yard before Elyijah Wilkins (#56, 11) tackled them. Manual’s defense stayed strong, and kept the Tigers from advancing any farther. Then, the Crimsons moved to offense.
Following two consecutive false starts, the Crimsons were moved back half the distance to the goal. This placed them at what the announcer called “first and 10 and a half”. Gerian Traynor (#34, 12) was able to carry the ball, and the Crimsons reached second and 10. He gained an additional five yards, but Manual ultimately could not score.
The Tigers gained some ground after moving to offense. However, the Crimsons were called for pass interference, resulting in a 15-yard penalty. The Tigers continued to make progress and had reached third and five when they called a timeout. Shortly after, despite numerous attempts to tackle them, St. X scored their first touchdown with about three minutes left in the first quarter. The extra point was good. The score was then 7-0.
Following a touchback, the Crimsons moved to offense. Traynor carried the ball, and the Crimsons were able to get their first down. Kaden Mack (#6, 11) gained two yards, putting the team at second and eight. Then, the Tigers were called for pass interference, which granted the Crimsons 15 yards.
However, a flag on the play resulted in a loss of five yards. Mack gained 13 yards, putting the Crimsons on second and two. They gained no yardage in fourth down, and St. X moved to offense. Deion Walker (#90, 11) tackled, but that was the last play of the quarter. Time ran out, and the quarter concluded with a score of 7-0, in the Tigers’ favor.
The Tigers began the second quarter on offense. Less than 30 seconds in, they scored a touchdown and the extra point was good. Following a touchback, Traynor was able to carry the ball. After a third down with no gain, Jackson Pritts (#17, 11) punted.
The Tigers moved to offense, and had an incomplete pass. Corde Boller (#9, 12) tackled, causing the Tigers to lose a yard. This placed them at third and 11. They managed to gain three yards but then were stopped by a tackle from Devin Allen (#27, 12). On fourth down, the Tigers punted.
When the Crimsons took possession, they were unable to gain much yardage, so Pritts kicked a field goal. This brought the score to 14-3. The Tigers were quick to retaliate and scored a touchdown on their second down. The extra point was good, so the score was 21-3.
The Crimsons moved back to offense, and Traynor gained a yard, making it second and nine. Noah Price (#15, 11) received the ball, but no yardage was gained. After a loss of six yards, Pritts punted. St. X switched to offense, and tackles from Walker and Jeremiah Stephens (#0, 12) kept the Tigers from gaining any yardage. The Tigers moved to second and 16, and gained 15 yards. They continued moving down the field and were able to score another touchdown. The extra point was good, making the score 28-3.
The Crimsons gained some yardage on offense and during fourth down, St. X called a timeout. When play resumed, Pritts punted. At this point, there was about a minute remaining in the quarter. Xavielle Brooks (#20, 11) tackled, but time ran out soon after. The quarter ended with a score of 28-3.
During halftime, Manual’s Dazzlers performed. Followed by a performance from Manual’s Crimson Sound marching band and color guard. Because it was senior night, all of the seniors in Crimson Sound received recognition for their participation.
Second Half:
The Crimsons started the second half on offense. Jeremey Presley (#5, 11) was able to gain some yardage, but on fourth down, Pritts punted. A few plays later, when the Crimsons returned to offense, Price completed first down. Not long after, Traynor ran 59 yards to score Manual’s first touchdown. Pritts kicked the extra point, and it was good.
When St. X moved to offense, they were not able to get very far. Anthony Wilson (#33, 11) completed a successful tackle and Brooks was able to block the pass. Following this, Manual called a timeout. When play resumed, the Crimsons were able to keep the tigers from advancing enough to score. Manual took offense again, and completed first down. However, time ran out, and the third quarter ended with a score of 28-10.
The final quarter of the game began with the Crimsons on offense. A flag on the play resulted in a loss of 10 yards, placing the Crimsons on first and 20. Mack carried the ball, and gained 16 yards. However, the consecutive downs resulted in a loss of yardage, and Pritts punted.
A few plays later, Laterrian Spencer (#10,12) returned the ball and the Crimsons took offense. Mack carried the ball. On third down, Max Thomas (#16, 11) ran a long way to complete first down. Shortly after, Brayland Miles (#14, 11) received the ball in the endzone to score a touchdown. The extra point was good, bringing the score to 28-17 with 8 minutes remaining.
Following a touchback, St. X returned to offense. Antwan Boller (#21, 11) managed a tackle, and stopped the Tigers. Shortly after, Allen helped lead another tackle. St X completed a first down but was unable to score. Then, the Crimsons called a timeout.
When play resumed, the Tigers gained some yardage, but Manual called another timeout. St X. punted, and there was a touchback. The Crimsons were able to gain a bit of yardage, but a few plays later, the Tigers intercepted the ball. The Tigers were called for a delay of game and lost 5 yards. Time ran out, and the game ended with a score of 28-17.
The teams next game will be away against Pleasure Ridge Park High School on Friday, Oct. 17.
