Junior quarterback Logan Sullivan scored the first varsity touchdown for Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School less than two minutes into the game. But the promising start for the Wolves was short-lived as Baltimore Lutheran’s John Nunez took the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown on its way to a 20-13 victory. The game was played in Dumfries last Thursday.

The Wolves played a successful junior varsity schedule last year, but even though there is no senior class at the second-year school, the team is competing as an independent varsity program this season.

Sullivan’s touchdown was set up by junior running back Joaquim White’s long run inside the five-yard line. Baltimore Lutheran scored a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter, but the extra point was blocked. The Wolves defense came up big in the second quarter to keep the score close at halftime, including an interception by junior defensive back Ishmael Gazawi.

White later scored the Wolves second touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 13.

Head Coach Carl Patton’s squad easily moved the ball up and down the field thanks to the running of White and junior fullback Aidan McNulty. But costly turnovers by the Wolves stalled several promising drives, including a fumble with less than three minutes left in the game that sealed the win for Baltimore Lutheran.

McNulty, junior John Mulloy and sophomore Zach Hoopes provided a solid defensive effort for the Wolves, who lost starting first-string quarterback Matthew Deakins to a broken arm earlier this year.

The team received strong support throughout the game from students, parents and faculty, including Dominican Sister Mary Jordan Hoover, principal, and Father Matthew Zuberbueler, chaplain. Volunteers Gerry and Peggy Hoffmann, residents of the Four Seasons retirement community, provided stellar work at the concession stand.