Ojeda, Paladins Defeat St. Francis in Blowout Fashion
“It takes a lot of people to make a winning team. Everybody’s contribution is important.” - Gary David Goldberg
They say that the first weekend of October is the “true” start of football season. By this time, usually, the weather is right, the games are getting good, and the fans have mastered their tailgating techniques. Last Friday was technically that first weekend, but if it was ruined by the rain, then this Friday certainly made up for it. The colorful sunset and the crisp air made a perfect setting for high school football, as the Pinecrest Paladins defeated the St. Francis Knights on Friday night, 49-14.
This win was a true testament to teamwork, as Greg Varghese, Matt Walters, and Mitchell Ojeda all had over 60 rushing yards. Along with this balanced offensive attack, the defense held St. Francis to just two touchdowns and forced two big turnovers. Even the special teams play was top notch in this game, as Ojeda ran the opening kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown and Michael Birozes went 7-7 on extra-points.
The Paladins are now 5-1, and they’re still undefeated on the road.
1st Quarter
A very talented boy sang the National Anthem for St. Francis, and Mitchell Ojeda was in the endzone only five seconds later, celebrating the opening kickoff he had just returned 98 yards for a touchdown. This put the Paladins up 7-0.
St. Francis then started their drive at the 50-yard line. After a few short gains, the strong PA defense forced a punt...which went backwards. This gave the Paladins the ball at their own 45.
PA’s triple option offense drove straight down the field and Mitchell Ojeda scored his second touchdown of the night, in less than ten minutes. The score was now 14-0 PA with 3:53 left in the first.
St. Francis got the ball back and the defense stopped them again, forcing a 3-and-out. This time, the punt went forward, and the Paladins started their next drive at their own 25-yard line.
2nd Quarter
The second quarter was no different than the first, in that the Paladins just kept scoring. After PA received the punt, Ojeda and McCarthy led a quick, 75-yard drive down the field, capped off with a 22-yard McCarthy rushing touchdown. This put the Paladins up 21-0 with 11:20 left in the half.
PA kicked it off and Francis started at their own 43. After a first-down, McCarthy anticipated the quarterback’s pass and made a leaping interception, regaining possession for the Paladins and setting up the offense at their own 41-yard line.
With 9:00 left in the half, PA started their drive. Varghese ran for one first-down but then it appeared as if Francis had stopped the Paladins from getting another one, (keyword: appeared). PA lined up for a punt, but McCarthy threw the ball instead of kicking it. Carson Holler caught the fake-punt-pass and ran past some defenders before being dragged down at the Francis 12-yard line. This was PA’s only complete pass of the game. Quite honestly, they didn’t need another one.
Later in this drive, Mitchell Ojeda ran it into the endzone for his third touchdown of the night. This run, behind some superb blocking from Garrison Winter and Matt Walters, put the Paladins up 28-0 with 4:05 left in the quarter.
St. Francis again started their next drive in their own territory. Before they could even get to the fifty, Corey Downes made an impressive interception and ran it all the way down to the ten yard line before being tackled out of bounds. This put the Paladins in favorable position, with the possibility to score one more time before the end of the half. So, guess what happened next.
After a first down, Mitchell Ojeda ran into the endzone for his fourth touchdown of the half. Now, if you either don’t play football, or live under a rock, or both, four touchdowns for one player in one half is known as: A LOT.
The Knights got the ball back and ran the clock out, ending the half with a score of 35-0, PA on top. Fact: The Paladins defense has not given up any first-half points in the last two games.
3rd Quarter
St. Francis would receive a Birozes kickoff to start the second half. Unfortunately, this time, the Knights drove down the field and scored one of their only two touchdowns of the night. The score was now 35-7, Paladins in the lead.
PA recovered the attempted onside kick by Francis, and started their drive at the 50-yard line. Yet again, the defense could not stop the powerful Paladin offense, as they drove down the field and McCarthy ran in his second touchdown of the night. PA now led 42-7 with 5:52 left in the quarter.
After another empty St. Francis drive, the Paladins got the ball back deep in their own territory. This time, the offense turned it over, on which PA head coach Todd Winter said, “[it was] the only thing I’m not happy about.”
Francis started at the PA 20-yard line, and if they were ever going to score, it was now. The Paladin defense had other thoughts on that subject. Connor Ettmueller and Matt Walters both had big tackles behind the line, forcing an eventual turnover on downs.
4th Quarter
PA’s next drive ended with a punt, and Francis got the ball deep in their own territory. Peter Nelson came up big this time, as he picked off a pass and ran it back to for a touchdown, putting the Paladins up 49-7 with 5:20 left in the game.
St. Francis then got the ball and drove down the field, finally scoring their second and last touchdown with thirty seconds left in the game.
Final: 49-14, Paladins on top.
The Paladins played a complete football game on Friday night. In Winter’s words, “we played well in all three phases...the kids just did a tremendous job.” He also noted the sub-par special teams play in the previous games, and how the unit redeemed itself in this game: “We’ve been struggling up until now in the kick game... we did well there.”
Every single player on the team contributed, and that means the most at the end of the day. This isn’t just the touchy-feely, participation-award contribution. This is contribution that gives the team more depth and unity, and makes it even harder for opponents to strategize against the Paladins.
PA plays their next game at home against Mt. Pisgah. The theme is “baby blue.”
