PVI, Ireton Continue to Win

In diocesan football action, Paul VI improved to 5-3 overall with a 27-20 win versus the McNamara Mustangs. Ireton improved to 4-4 overall with a 26-6 win versus the Riverdale Baptist Crusaders and O'Connell dropped to 4-4 overall with a 27-9 loss to St. John’s.

The Panthers, coached by Pat McGroarty (third season), hosted and defeated the McNamara Mustangs (Friday Oct. 21, under the lights). McNamara led 14-0 after the first quarter was completed. PVI surged back to merely trail 14-13 at intermission.

The teams were deadlocked 20-20 after the third quarter. The "Black and Gold" took the lead for good in the fourth quarter following junior running back Alex Soltis's 34-yard TD run.

On the day, Soltis recorded three scores. Junior QB D.J. Mangas connected with junior wide receiver Daryl Spencer on an 11-yard TD and junior Ryan Young converted three of four PAT's.

Senior defensive lineman Dan Matheny had a huge game, recovering a fumble and recording nine tackles.

"Everyone has a different attitude than we had last year," said Soltis. "We've been working real hard and that makes for good chemistry."

PVI hosts Good Counsel Oct. 28.

The Cardinals, coached by Brian Inman (fourth season), headed to Prince George’s County and defeated the Riverdale Baptist Crusaders 26-6 on a rare Monday night game. Sophomore running back Andrew Rodriguez put the Cardinals on the scoreboard first with a 10-yard first quarter run. Following senior placekicker Mike Brideau's PAT, Ireton led 7-0 and never looked back.

Rodriguez (190 yards rushing on the day) also added another short TD run. Senior QB/tri-captain Jorrell Joseph also added two TD runs of his own. Brideau converted two PAT's on the day and narrowly missed a 35-yard field goal.

Two of the warriors for Ireton defensively was senior nose guard/tri-captain Eddie Pitts (a quarterback sack and a host of tackles) and senior defensive end Willis Vann (also a quarterback sack and a host of tackles).

"We stepped up tonight on both sides of the ball. Our 4-4 record doesn't really reflect how good this team is right now," said Pitts.

"There are some great coaches and some great teammates on this team," said Vann. "We didn't allow their big plays to discourage us. With two more games remaining, all we can do is to keep working hard."

Ireton doesn't play again until Nov. 5 when it hosts Fork Union.

The Knights, coached by Steve Trimble, dropped a 27-9 decision to St. John’s on Oct. 23 Knights senior Phil Maguire booted a 29-yard field goal to give the Knights an early 3-0 lead (which held up through intermission).

St. John’s led 6-3 after the third quarter was in the books. The Cadets led 20-3 midway through the fourth quarter, before O'Connell standout junior running back Devon Brown ripped off a 53-yard TD run down the right sideline.

A late Cadet defensive TD accounted for the final margin. One of the warriors for O'Connell defensively was senior tri-captain/offensive guard/linebacker Corey Jackson who took part in on a host of tackles and combined with junior defensive lineman Darrell Hardie and others to record a number of big plays for the Knights.

"We lost some momentum in the second half when they went with a different offense/quarterback," said Jackson. "It's been a pretty good season so far. One of our goals is top make the playoffs."

O'Connell hosts Gonzaga Oct. 29.

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