In diocesan football action, O'Connell improved to 4-1 overall with a convincing 31-12 victory versus the Carroll Lions, Ireton improved to 3-3 overall with an impressive 38-15 victory versus the Ballou Senior High School Knights and Paul VI dropped to 2-3 with a one-sided 45-10 loss to the Gonzaga College High School Eagles.

O'Connell, coached by Steve Trimble (third season), defeated the visiting Carroll Lions 31-12, on a splendid homecoming weekend in Arlington. "I stressed all week that we were going to have to play smart and play with effort versus Carroll," Trimble said.

The "Royal Blue and Silver" defense and special teams contributed significantly to the win.
The Knights got on the scoreboard early when a Lion punting attempt backfired — giving the ball to the Knights deep in Lion territory. Junior tailback Devon Brown scored from 24 yards out for the Knights, and O'Connell would never trail. (The senior-laden offensive line — Michael Bedont, Eric Butler, Corey Jackson, Nicholas Kaminski and sophomore Matthew Dillon — blocked on the play.)

"I thought that running the ball was going to be key versus Carroll," Trimble said.

In the second quarter, O'Connell sophomore running back Antonio Cross gave the Knights a 14-0 lead from 9 yards out. (Junior defensive back Jordan Trimble's interception moments earlier gave O'Connell good field position.) In the third quarter, the "Royal Blue and Silver" increased their lead to 21-0, when Brown outran the Carroll Lion defense to the right side pylon, from 23 yards out.

Later in the game, junior O'Connell linebacker Eddie Washington "picked" Lions QB Ian White and returned the interception 18 yards for the Knights fourth touchdown of the day.

After the Lions narrowed their deficit to 28-6, senior O'Connell placekicker Phil Maguire booted a 27-yard field goal to bolster the Knights lead at 31-6. (Maguire drilled one field goal and four extra points.)

A late Carroll score accounted for the final margin of 31-12. On the day: Devon Brown — 29 rushes/197 yards. On the season: the opportune Knights defense has no less than an amazing 14 interceptions led by: Jordan Trimble (four), junior Emani Fenton (four), sophomore Shane Savage (three), Eddie Washington (two) and senior Mark Borgiasz (one).

"We've got some athletic guys playing in the defensive backfield. They feel that they have as much right to the ball as the wide receiver does," Trimble said.

The Knights are scheduled to visit DeMatha Oct. 8 and will host Good Counsel Oct. 15.

Ireton, coached by Brian Inman (fourth season), defeated the visiting Ballou Knights (S.E. D.C.) 38-15, on a splendid homecoming weekend in Alexandria. The "Cardinal and Gold" took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, courtesy of a 1-yard run by Jorel Joseph.

The Cardinals struck endzone "paydirt" three times in the second quarter to take control of the contest: Andrew Rodriguez — 1-yard run; Justin Joseph — 15-yard run; and Rodriguez — a 6-yard run.
Mike Brideau booted a soccer-style 37-yard field goal in the third quarter to increase Ireton's lead to 31-0.
Not until the fourth quarter did the DCIAA Knights (District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association) get on the scoreboard. The visitors scored two touchdowns, a successful kick and a conversion run to draw within 31-15. Justin Joseph added the final exclamation point for the Cardinals with a late game 31-yard TD run.
"We were on the attack from the ‘get-go,’" said Inman. "We didn't make a whole lot of mistakes. I was very pleased with the effort. The players played as though they were on a mission. They realize that the only conceivable way to qualify for the 2005 VIS playoffs is to ‘win out’ for the remainder of the season." Ireton is off the weekend of Oct. 7-8 and then are scheduled to visit Richmond St. Christopher's Oct. 15.

Paul VI, coached by Pat McGroarty (third season), took a 45-10 hit on their visit to N.W. D.C. — where they squared off with the Gonzaga Eagles. After Gonzaga took a 10-0 early lead, PVI got on the scoreboard when junior Ryan Young booted a 37-yard field goal (late first quarter).
The Eagles forged ahead 17-3 in the second stanza, before the Panthers recorded their lone touchdown of the day — a 5-yard TD pass from junior QB D.J. Mangas to junior tight end Philip Boisvert. Junior Alex Soltis led the Panthers ground game with 19 carries for 75 yards. The Panthers are scheduled to visit St. Johns’ Oct. 8 and are scheduled to host Carroll Oct. 14.