Senior football players enjoying one last ride

The football squad of Mount Saint Joe is headed to the promised land in head coach Donald Davis’ second season. We play at Gilman High School in Week 4. We are in league play this week, which means that every game we play now counts toward our team’s postseason chances. This makes this week crucial. The final three games were not in the conference. Bishop McDevitt (PA), St. Mary’s Ryken (Leonardtown, MD), and St. Thomas Aquinas (NJ).

Mount Saint Joseph was defeated 45–15 by Bishop McDevitt. Although the Gaels proved to be a formidable opponent in the second week, Mcdevitt remains one of the top teams in Pennsylvania and the nation. In the second week, the Gaels had a strong start against St. Thomas Aquinas; by halftime, they were up on the Trojans 29-0. We had to spend this week indoors practicing, which is why we were up so early. Aquinas turned the tide against us as the second half got underway. The Trojans mounted a comeback following four turnovers by the offense in the second half. The defense was letting up scores, and the score was 29–26. To increase our lead, we had one more touchdown, by senior receiver Luke Papas. MSJ 36, St. Thomas, 26.

12 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Gaels require a crucial stop as they are playing defense. Corday Bethel Jr., ATH, shuts down the stadium roar with a massive hit on the St. Thomas receiver. Sean Curtis, a senior defensive lineman, gets a game-ending sack as time runs out. With this win, we now have a 1-1 record for the season.

St. Mary’s Ryken, Week Three matchup. This week’s practice went well, but we are aware of the Lambert Cup as our goal for Friday night’s match. The two Xaverian schools have been engaging in this tradition for many years. We dislike Ryken just as much as they dislike us. This game was going to come down to who wants it. Who wouldn’t want to hold that cup at the end of the night? Before entering league play, can head coach Donald Davis guide this team to yet another Lambert Cup win?

We ultimately lost to Ryken 38–20. They were the squad who put in the most effort and produced the victory. A fresh week, team, and game have begun. It is no longer relevant to blame the Ryken game on anyone. Next up is Gilman, a rival who has been playing quite well lately. In the second year of the Donald Davis era, can coach Davis and the Mount Saint Joseph football team make it through league play and to the MIAA Championship?