David W. Healy
dhealy@ddtonline.com
YAZOO CITY – The St. Joseph Catholic School varsity football team got back on the winning track Friday night with an important 22-9 road victory over Manchester Academy Friday night.
The victory snapped a three-game losing spell for the Fighting Irish (4-4) and helped them still have good hope for a first-round bye when the MAIS state playoffs begin next week.
A well-rounded passing attack by sophomore quarterback Victor Baker helped spark the St. Joe offense Friday. Baker completed 14 of his 21 pass attempts in the game for 169 yards. He also ran a touchdown from one yard out.
Senior captain Chris Mayfield caught a 12-yard touchdown pass for the Irish and TJ Phillips caught a 15-yard touchdown pass.
Junior John Haggard ran in two 2-point conversions for the Irish.
In all, seven different St. Joseph players caught passes from Victor Baker.
“This game was huge for us,” St. Joe coach John Baker said. “We still have a chance for that first-round bye in the state playoffs. And when the playoffs start, everyone starts over at 0-0.”
The Irish used a balanced offense to drive the ball down the field Friday night, finishing with 185 yards rushing and 169 yards receiving.
Junior Quay Nash led St. Joseph with 92 rushing yards on 12 carries.
On the defensive side of the ball, St. Joseph freshman Julius McCullum led the Irish with 10 tackles and a forced fumble. Junior Jay Chow registered two sacks and eight tackles.
Manchester dropped to 3-5 with the loss.
St. Joseph’s next game is this Friday night on the road against Class 5A Adams County Christian (6-3).
