In diocesan football action last weekend, Bishop O'Connell defeated McNamara 16-6 to improve to 3-1 on the season; Ireton defeated Northampton (N.C.) 14-0 to improve to 2-3 on the season; and Paul VI was derailed by DeMatha 47-6 to drop to 2-2 on the season.

The Knights, coached by Steve Trimble (third season), traveled to Forestville, Md., Sept. 24, and recorded their first WCAC victory of the season, with a solid 16-6 victory versus the Mustangs.

McNamara returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and led 6-0 early on. O'Connell closed the deficit to 6-3 late in the first quarter, courtesy of a 40-yard field goal by senior Phil Maguire. On the season, Maguire has booted three other field goals - all 32 yards or longer.

In the second quarter, the Knights scored the decisive touchdown of the game, a two-yard run by junior Devon Brown (running behind the offensive line of Eric Butler, Michael Bedont, Corey Jackson, Matthew Dillon and Nicholas Kaminski).

Following Maguire's successful extra point, O'Connell led 10-6 and never looked back.

Brown's first TD of the contest was set up by a 25-yard fumble return by junior linebacker Darrell Hardie.

The third quarter ended with the Knights still nursing a 10-6 lead. In the fourth stanza, Brown ripped off a 45-yard scoring jaunt that accounted for the final margin.

In addition to Hardie's fumble recovery, O’Connell’s defense also came up with four other turnovers. On the season, junior safety Jordan Trimble as well as junior cornerback Emani Fenton and sophomore cornerback Shane Savage lead the Knights opportunistic defense with three interceptions each.

The Knights (2-8 overall one season ago) are scheduled to host Carroll Oct. 1 and will visit DeMatha Oct. 8.

"We have to play a good hard football game versus Carroll. We have to be able to play good defense and we have to be able to run the ball. We have to play with effort and play smart," said Trimble.

Ireton Returns to Win Column

Bishop Ireton, coached by Brian Inman (fourth season), got into the win column for the second time this season. The Cardinals hosted Northampton from North Carolina, Sept. 24, and went ahead 6-0 in the second quarter when junior Jorel Joseph caught a beautiful 24-yard scoring strike from sophomore QB Casey Shannon. Senior placekicker/soccer player Mike Brideau booted the extra point to give Ireton a 7-0 lead.

The third quarter also ended with the "Cardinal and Gold" nursing a slim 7-0 lead. In the fourth stanza, with Jorel Joseph at QB, sophomore running back Andrew Rodriguez put the exclamation point on the scoreboard with a nine-yard TD run.

Rodriguez, who has also quarterbacked and played defensive back this season is also the younger brother of David Rodriguez, class of '04 – who along with Pat Shannon - helped lead Ireton to the V.I.S. State semi-finals last season.

Brideau's second PAT of the game accounted for the 14-0 final score.

On defense, the Cardinals were led by senior nose tackle Willis Vann. He recorded eight tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble.

Junior tight end Mark Bezold and the combination of senior fullback Frank Curry/sophomore fullback Peter Spoehr in addition to the offensive line blocked well for the QB tandem [Jorel Joseph/Casey Shannon] and for halfback Andrew Rodriguez.

On the season, Rodriguez has spearheaded the opportunistic Cardinal defense with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Sophomore running back Justin Joseph leads the ground attack with 380 yards on 54 carries.

The Cardinals are scheduled to host Ballou on Oct. 1 and then do not play again until they visit St. Christopher’s from Richmond Oct. 15.

"We're starting to come together as a team. We had a couple games earlier in the season "slip away". We plan on playing the remainder of the season without having any other games "slip away". We need to play a smart football game versus the Ballou Knights and not to get caught up in any of the homecoming festivities" said coach Inman.

PVI Falls to DeMatha

Paul VI, coached by Pat McGroarty (third season), dropped a 47-6 contest to DeMatha, Sept. 23 under the lights in Fairfax. DeMatha led 19-0 after the first quarter took control 47-0 at intermission.

The Panthers got on the scoreboard late in the game when junior wide receiver Steve Archer recorded a 67-yard scoring reception from junior QB D.J. Mangas.

"We just didn't play that well versus the Stags of DeMatha. We missed tackles and we missed assignments. On the positive side, our interior offensive line, Dan Matheny, Mark McDonald and Josh Gadell, all played pretty well. Defensively, Zach Miller recorded an interception and offensively, Alex Soltis ran the ball hard," said McGroarty.

On the season, junior running back Soltis has nearly 300 yards. The Panthers are scheduled to visit Gonzaga Oct. 1 and are will visit St. John’s Oct. 8.