The Fifth Grade flag football team entered the playoffs undefeated #1 seed and bracketed to play Holy Name in the semifinals. The Knights came out early and had a 13-0 lead, but Holy Name struck late in the game with a 40 yard bomb to make the score 13-7. The Knights struck back and closed the game with a 20-7 win versus the Gators. Stuart Hall advanced to the championship against Trinity. The Knights kicked off to Trinity to start the game. Trinity got into scoring position, but Darrick LeBeouf came up with a big interception to stop the drive. The Knights first possession sputtered forcing a punt deep in their own territory. Trinity got the ball back and took the lead on a QB keeper to go up 6-0. The Knights were down for the first time all season and had to regroup. Stuart Hall got another huge play from LeBeouf on fourth down with 5 seconds left until halftime. LeBeouf ran a deep post and Sean Maher threw it to the end zone as time expired. LeBeouf jumped over several defenders, caught the ball, and fell down into the end zone to tie the score 6-6 at halftime.
That play jump started the Knights and the momentum carried into the second half. Stuart Hall received the second half kickoff. The Knights disciplined offense drove the ball methodically down the field and scored on a Harrison Gootee to Jacob Washington screen pass to make the score 12-6. Trinity fought back and got deep into the red zone. A Trinity score and extra point, would put them back in the lead with less than 5 minutes in the game. The Knights' backs were against the wall. Their amazing resiliency and teamwork was displayed as they stopped Trinity nine times inside the 20 yard line, including four times from the 5 yard line. LeBeouf ended their drive with his third interception of the game. The Knights took over with under 4 minutes. Stuart Hall started the drive deep in their own territory and started to run the clock out. A beautiful fake reverse to Washington would set up the next touchdown. On the fake to Washington, a quick pass to Cole Wierzbicki and hand off to J.T. Mills worked perfectly. The Mills run after the hand off set up the Knights final score. A Washington QB keeper for the score put the finishing touches as the Knights won the Championship 18-6.
"I really appreciate this great group of boys," Coach Israel Punch said. "Their dedication, sacrifice, attitude, support, teamwork, discipline, spirit, courage. I can go on and on about how awesome these young men are. It takes all mentioned, and more to build a championship. Their minds, hearts, souls, and spirits are the most important and that is what I am most proud of. "
Thanks to everyone for supporting our Champions. GO KNIGHTS!
