by PARMA, OH – Without starting Quarterback Joey Pfaff, the St. Ignatius Wildcats needed to rely on defense and a strong run game to defeat the Mt. Saint Joseph Gaels out of Maryland. The Wildcats did just that in a 20-6 victory.
Starting tailback Marty Lenehan carried the bulk of the load as he piled up 170 yards on 28 carries while scoring twice. Backup tailback Joey Georges chipped in with 55 yards, a touchdown on 5 carries.
As mentioned, St. Ignatius was without starting quarterback Joey Pfaff due to injury and thrust the junior Pierce Spencer into action. His first couple drives were rough ones as he was blitzed heavily.
By the time of the third drive, Marty Lenehan started taking over. He ripped off a 46-yard run to get the Wildcats down to the Gaels 14 to start the drive.
They kept moving the ball and eventually would have a first and goal to start the second quarter. A few moments later it was Lenehan charging up the middle through the Gaels line to start the scoring at 7-0 Wildcats with 11:21 to go in the second quarter.
Later on in the second, still down 7-0, the Gaels switched quarterbacks and went to sophomore Deshaun Perdie to try and create a spark. Perdie would make quick connections of 15 and 16 yards to get the Gaels moving. It would eventually stall out however and they would be forced to punt. The first half would end 7-0 Wildcats.
St. Ignatius opened up the second half with a short passing game of connections of 8,6 and 7 mixed in with some nice runs by Lenehan to move the ball. The drive would eventually fizzle out however and they would turn it over on downs.
St. Ignatius would get another crack at it near midfield. Once again it was a steady diet of Marty moving the rock down the field. The Wildcats would be aided by a 15-yard personal foul as well, to set them up at the Gaels 12. The next play was Marty Lenehan taking it in to extend the lead. The extra point attempt was no good, and the lead stayed at 13-0.
It was Watkins back in for the Gaels to try and get them back in the game. He did just that with connections of 30 and 15 to Ronald Goodridge to get in Wildcat territory for the first time all day. Another pass to Goodridge of 22 yards, put them inside the Wildcats 8-yard line. A few moments later it was Bryce Cox taking it in from 3 to start the fourth quarter and cut the lead to 13-6 as they missed their extra point.
Still up 13-6, the Wildcats had a chance to extend the lead with a long and methodical drive late into the fourth quarter. They did just that with the highlight play coming on a 47-yard Joey Georges sprint down the middle of the field to set up shop inside of the Gaels 5. Moments later it was Georges taking it the rest of the way to make it 20-6 with 5:31 left on the clock.
Players the game
St. Ignatius RB Marty Lenehan with 170 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Gaels WR Ronald Goodridge with 91 yards on 5 catches.
