SSC Slips by Leopards 28-25

The Saint Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws used steady pressure on defense and some stealthy offense to pull out a 28-25 victory over the defending Alabama Class 4A state champion Mobile Christian Leopards last Friday at the Brother Philip Memorial Athletic Complex. It was the first meeting between the two schools.

The Rocks (3-2) opened the game on offense and wasted little time possessing the football as they took almost five minutes off the clock with a 13-play drive.

Sam Grant hooked up with Christian Haas for a 19-yard gain and then Finn Williford for a pickup of 20 yards. Later in the drive, Grant found Adam Oliver for 18 yards and the Haas again for another six yards before SSC settled for a field goal. Evan Noel converted the kick from 23 yards out with 7:09 left in the opening quarter to give the Rocks a 3-0 advantage.

The Leopards (2-3) answered the Rocks with a 10-play drive of their own. Damien Gatson highlighted the drive with a 40-yard completion to Carson Stiles before Gatson called his own number and scored from seven yards out with 3:19 left in the first quarter. Carter Lewis converted the PAT to make the score 7-3.

SSC wasted little energy reclaiming the lead going on an eight-play drive that started at their own 15 yard line. Grant hit Haas for another 21 yards and then found Brayden McDonald for an 18-yard scoring toss with 22 seconds in the first quarter. Noel made the PAT to push the score to 10-7.

Finn Williford stepped in front of a Leopard pass to pick off the ball near midfield. Grant pushed the Rocks to the Leopard 30 yard line and sent Noel out to attempt a 47-yard field goal. The attempt was a chip shot for the Mississippi state record holder with 7:39 left in the half that made the score 13-7.

On the ensuing possession, Adam Oliver jumped a Leopard pass route and picked off the ball and returned to the Leopard 33 yard line.

Grant picked up seven, 16, and three yards before Henry Nunmaker scored from seven yards out with 5:05 left in the half. Noel converted the PAT to make the score 20-7.

The Leopards put together a 13-play drive that ended with a 42-yard field goal.attempt by Lewis only to have the kick blocked by Williford leaving the score 20-7.

In the second half, the Leopards came out roaring. Jason Todd scored on a six-yard run with 8:53 left in the third quarter. Lewis’ PAT made the score 20-14.

After a three-and-out, the Leopards lit the board again with a Todd five-yard run followed by a two-point conversion pushing the score to 22-20.

At the end of thenthird quarter, Lewis converted on a 46-yard field goal to push the score to 25-20.

Three possessions later, the Rocks struck paydirt when Nunmaker scored from two yards out with 1:11 left to play. The two-point conversion pass from Grant to Williford made the final score 28-25.

Saint Stanislaus head coach Tate Thigpen commented, “Hats off to Mobile Christian and their coaching staff that made tremendous adjustments for their players at halftime that changed the flow of the game. We have to get this one behind us so that we can turn our focus to Stone this week. They have an outstanding defense that limits opponents. We will have to produce a solid gameplan and execute to move the ball and limit their opportunities.”

Sam Grant threw for 187 yards and a touchdown on 14-for-22 passing to lead the Rocks. On defense, Henry Nunmaker led SSC with 12 tackles followed by Salvatore Riccardi and Max Rhodes with 10 stops each.

Jason Todd led Mobile Christian with 32 carries for 287 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rocks travel to Stone Friday, October 4, 2024. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at MGCCC-Perkinston Campus.