Notables
-West throws for four touchdowns and runs for another in finale
-Schlender records 161 rushing yards
-Weber records 138 receiving yards and three touchdowns
ST. PAUL, Minn.
(csssaints.com) – In its regular season finale, the St. Scholastica football team traveled to St. Paul this afternoon, to take on the Scots from Macalester College. Although the Saints got off to a fast start, taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Macalester responded quickly, taking a lead they would not lose early in the second quarter and defeated CSS this afternoon by a score of 54-35.
How it Happened
The Saints received the opening kickoff and got its scoring done early. After a six-yard pass from
Donald West (St. Paul, Minn./Woodbury HS (Iowa Central)) to
Ricky Weber (Roseville, Minn./Roseville HS),
Nick Schlender (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS) ran the ball twice, his first run for a gain of two, and the next rush he went for 69 yards to give CSS a huge boost early. The drive was capped off by a West passing touchdown to Weber to give the Saints an early 7-0 lead.
CSS' defense forced a three-and-out for the Scots on its first drive, which CSS took advantage of. West connected with freshman
Connor Donovan (Maple Plain, Minn./Watertown-Mayer HS) twice for a total of 18 yards, then West found Weber open again for a 63-yard touchdown, making it a 14-0 Saints lead.
Macalester was able to score on its next drive and following a Saints three-and-out, scored again to tie the game at 14-14.
In the early moments of the second quarter, the Scots finished off its drive that began near the end of the first quarter and found the endzone again, as well as converting a two-point conversion to make it 22-14.
Macalester added to its lead after a long Saints drive that ended on a turnover on downs, to make it 28-14.
The Saints took possession of the ball with around six minutes in the first half to try to cut into the Scots' lead. The drive began with Schlender rushing the ball for 14 yards on three attempts. West then found Weber for a 22-yard gain, followed by West rushing for 30 yards, putting CSS past the 50 yard line and into Macalester territory. Following a pass interference penalty that put CSS on the goal line, West ran the ball into the endzone, cutting the Scots' lead down to 28-21.
Macalester answered right back, scoring right before the half to take a 35-21 lead into halftime.
CSS forced a turnover on downs on the opening drive to give the offense a chance to work. Unfortunately, Macalester found the endzone on an interception returned for a touchdown to give Macalester a 41-21 lead.
CSS responded, as
Byron Bishop (Sublimity, Ore./Regis HS) recovered a muffed punt by the Scots to give CSS great field position. West was able to find
Benjamin Hunter (Superior, Wis./Superior HS) for two catches on the drive, including a touchdown reception to trim the deficit to 41-28.
The Saints defense showed up once again on the ensuing drive as
Nathan Miller (Rochester, Minn./Century HS) blocked a field goal attempt which was recovered by
Antonio Bugni (Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount HS) to give St. Scholastica some momentum.
West then led a drive in which he connected with Weber once again today for a touchdown, making it a one possession game as CSS trailed 41-35.
Unfortunately, Macalester was able to hold the Saints silent in the fourth quarter, as well as scoring 13 more points in the quarter, to defeat CSS today by a score of 54-35.
Top Performers
Donald West (St. Paul, Minn./Woodbury HS (Iowa Central)) finished the game with four passing touchdowns today, as well as adding one more touchdown using his legs while adding 277 passing yards as well.
Nick Schlender (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS) led the rushing game today, finishing today with 161 yards on 24 attempts, both of which were career highs.
Ricky Weber (Roseville, Minn./Roseville HS) led the receiving corps today, totaling 138 yards with three touchdowns to go along with it.
Wyatt Lahr (Bowlus, Minn./Royalton HS) added 83 yards on six catches and Donovan Carter and
Benjamin Hunter (Superior, Wis./Superior HS) both added three receptions today.
Defensively, CSS was led by
Austin Mundt (Deer River, Minn./Deer River HS), who added nine tackles this afternoon.
Anthony Vo (St. Paul, Minn./Roseville HS) added eight tackles today and
Antonio Bugni (Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount HS) led the team this afternoon with two pass breakups and recovered a blocked field goal this afternoon.
Up Next
The Saints finished the regular season with a 2-7 record, finishing with a conference record of 1-6 this season. Next week, the Saints will wrap-up its season as they will host the Pipers from Hamline in the MIAC Championship Week next Saturday at Public Schools Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
