The St. Joseph Fighting Irish didn’t have to put up much of a fight at all at on Friday night at home in a 44-12 win over the Greenville Christian Saints.
St. Joseph senior Dillon Johnson opened up the high scoring affair with a 70-yard touchdown run. About three minutes later, fellow senior Trey Benson blazed the field scoring a 56-yard touchdown run. Both of the 2-point conversion attempts that followed were successful, giving the Irish 16 unanswered points and what would soon be 23.
Trey Benson recorded the Irish’s third touchdown off a 12 yard run straight down the middle of the Saints’ defense after junior defensive back Mekhi Norris picked off a pass intended for Saints senior receiver Antonio Moore at their 43-yard line.
The Saints finally answered with a 26-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Lawson Stokes to receiver Antonio Moore after an impressive 80-yard drive down the field. The Saints faced a 17-point deficit going into the half.
The Saints’ offense suffered in the early minutes of the third quarter from costly penalties and the Irish managed to capitalize off of those mistakes right around the eight minute mark with a 23-yard touchdown pass putting the Irish up 30-6.
The Saints answered shortly thereafter thanks in part due to returner Will Riley bringing the ball back to the 49-yard line giving Saints ideal field position. The Saints were able to move the ball fairly well against the Irish defense accumulating 40 yards in a drive that led to a 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore runningback Marlon Palmer. The 2-point conversion pass, however, was broken up by an Irish defender.
Answering with an impressive return and drive down the field of their own, the Irish put up another six points from a 22-yard touchdown run by Dillon Johnson giving them a 37-12 lead.
The Irish would not be done after a turnover-riddled fourth quarter. With about four minutes left on the clock, sophomore running back Rhodrick Gentry Jr. exploded down the field with a 43-yard run giving the Irish a strong scoring opportunity. At 2:37 Dillon Johnson managed a 5-yard touchdown run essentially ending the game with a final score of 44-12 and St. Joseph winning.
Irish Coach John Baker attributes such a win to his seniors being experienced and knowing their expectations.
“I think it’s experience, of course we’ve got great talent because Johnson and Benson are two of the best around and I think they showed that here tonight,” he said.
Trey Benson broke a long-running school record in touchdowns scored in a game last year against this team and knew that the Saints would come harder this year. He said that the goal is to work as a team and towards a 3-peat in the championship.
St. Joseph’s Dillon Johnson finished with right around 229 all-purpose yards on the night and Trey Benson 90 yards on the ground. Both Mekhi Norris and Rhodrick Gentry recorded one interception.
Johnson credits his family and friends with helping to keep him focused and God keeping him safe and injury free.
“This has been the biggest game so far,” Johnson said.
Greenville Christian’s Lawson Stokes was 13 for 34 in passing finishing with roughly 70 yards.
