Tom Dodge
The Blue Jays sealed a share of the District 4-1A title as St. Edmund rolled to a 49-12 win over Hamilton Christian.
A win over Merryville Friday in the regular season finale will clinch bask-to-back district championships for the first time since 2003-04.
“When they scored, we answered,” Blue Jay head coach Andy Hargroder said. “I am proud of way of the guys responded in a strong way.”
After the Blue Jay defense held on the Warriors’ opening possession, the St. Edmund offense fumbled the ball back three plays later.
Hamilton Christian (1-8, 1-5) moved the ball 33 yards on six plays, capped by a 9-yard run by Reginald Jackson.
The PAT failed as the Warriors held a 6-0 lead with 6:44 left in the first period.
The Jays responded with a 9-play, 59 yard drive, aided by runs from Peyton Marcantel, Carter Lejeune and Brad Miller.
On first down at the Warrior 27, Brock Bieber broke loose for a 24-yard run before being tackled by the face mask.
On the next play, Jack Miller scored on a 3-yard run. Marcantel’s kick was good as the Jays took a 7-6 advantage with 2:17 remaining in the quarter.
Jackson raced 81 yards on the ensuing kickoff before a touchdown-saving tackle by Marcantel.
The Blue Jay defense held the Warriors in four plays to stop the drive at the SEH 7.
The St. Ed ground game exploded with a 55-yard jaunt by Miller, followed by a 18-yard touchdown run by Marcantel.
The PAT was good as the Jays pushed ahead, 14-6 with 23 seconds left in the first period.
After forcing the Warriors to punt, St. Edmund quickly scored again as Bieber exploded for a 42-yard touchdown run throught the middle of the Hamilton Christian defense.
Marcantel’s PAT increased the Jays’ lead to 21-6 with 8:49 left in the half.
The St. Edmund defense forced another punt and the Blue Jay offense quickly responded.
Miller broke loose for a 30-yard run and Lejeune scored on the next play, scampering the final 16 yards.
Marcantel’s kick pushed the Jays ahead, 28-6 with 5:32 remaining in the second period.
Hamilton Christian answered as Dakori Lewis scored on a 70-yard run. The two-point conversion pass failed, but the Warriors closed the gap to 28-12 with 5:17 left in the half.
After a holding penalty on the kickoff erased an impressive return by Jack Miller, the Jays were forced to begin their next drive at the SEH 5.
After six running plays by Brad Miller, the Blue Jay quarterback connected with Marcantel for a 28-yard pass.
On the next play, Bieber scored on a 15-yard run. Marcantel’s PAT increased the Jays’ lead to 35-12 with 1:33 left in the second period.
St. Edmund opened the third period with an impressive kickoff return by Jack Miller who was stopped at the Warrior 6.
After a personal foul pushed the Jays back to the 23, Jack Miller then finished the drive with a 23-yard touchdown run on the very next play.
Marcantel’s PAT pushed St. Ed’s ahead, 42-12 with 11:36 left in the third frame.
A fumbled Jay snap and a muffed punt gave the Warriors a chance to score as the game moved to the fourth quarter.
Jackson, who has rushed for more than 1,600 yards this season, brooke loose for a 32-yard run to the Blue Jay 11.
The St. Edmund defense held and forced a fourth-down incomplete pass to halt the drive at the Blue Jay 4.
On the very next play, Brad Miller broke throught the defense and raced 96 yards down the Warrior sideline for the touchdown.
Marcantel’s PAT increased the Jays’ margin to 49-12 with 7:12 left in the game.
St. Edmund held the Warriors on fourth down and then ran out the clock to seal their eighth win of the season.