Using their speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball, the St. Joe Fighting Irish (7-1) drenched the St. Aloysius Flashes 42-7 amid intermittent showers at homecoming Friday night.
The Irish took a quick 21-0 by the end of the first quarter then the heavens opened up sending fans running for cover to avoid the wind blown showers.
“It was important for us to go up early,” said St. Joe head coach John Baker. “Because you never know how the game will transpire once you start playing with wet footballs.”
Just before the rain, Irish quarterback quarterback CJ Moore displayed the entire repertoire with the short passing game, getting yardage with his legs and buying time in the pocket. Moore capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Christian Foster.
St. Al quarterback Chase Tucker kept the Irish offense off the field momentarily with his running early in the second quarter.
However, Jack Hughes broke through the Flashes offensive line with a sack ending St. Al’s first significant offensive threat of the game.
“The defense played lights out tonight and everyone got a chance to play tonight,” Baker said. “We’ve been playing St. Al since 1952 and we are 20-32-2 against them. It’s just a good old Catholic school rivalry.”
When the rain cleared, Jerrian “Stank” King brought the crowd to its feet with a burst up the home sideline for a 48-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point was good and the Irish led 28-0 heading into the half.
The Flashes took the opening possession of the second half and went 80 yards in seven plays mostly featuring power running. The drive culminated with a Tucker passing touchdown of 25 yards. The extra point pulled the Flashes to a 28-7 deficit with 5:02 left in the third quarter.
Both teams failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the third quarter and the Irish carried a three touchdown lead into the final frame.
Moore found King on a touchdown throw and sophomore linebacker Greg Fore recovered a fumble on a scoop and score to account for the home team’s final two tallies of the evening. St Joe Will travel to face Kirk Academy Friday at 7 pm.
