SSC Rocks Tripped Up at FCAHS 27-14

The Saint Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws went on the road to open the 2026 gridiron campaign which also happened to be the first game for new head coach Evan Gay. It is also marked the start of the Rocks’ 111th season of football.

The football gods did not look favorably on the Rocks as they committed six turnovers which any coach will tell you is not a recipe for success.

Both teams opened the game with turnovers on downs as the defenses stepped up to the challenge. On the Aggies’ second possession, Parks Brock delivered a 28-yard scoring toss to Jordan Husband with 4:27 left to play in the first quarter. Rheddic Green converted on the PAT to make the score 7-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Rocks fumbled the ball back to the Aggies at the 37-yard line. On fourth-and-10, Brock hit Sean Walker for a 48-yard scoring aerial with 2:55 left in the opening quarter. Green missed the PAT leaving the score 13-0.

On the next possession, the Rocks drove down to the Aggies’ five-yard line highlighted by a 13-yard completion to Adam Oliver and catches of 18 and 10 yards by Lex Rhodes from Canadian import Max Bernard.

However, the Rocks tossed an interception on the eighth play of the drive to end any scoring opportunity.

The Aggies mounted a 12-play drive that ended on a fake punt that was snuffed out by Brick Compretta.

Both teams traded possessions twice before the Rocks’ Jude Babin flipped the field with a 54-yard booming punt that put the Aggies back deep at their seven-yard line.

FCAHS was unable to move the ball and had to punt back to the Rocks where they took over at the Aggies’ 39-yard line.

The Rocks were the recipient of a pass interference call against the Aggies which allowed the Rocks a shot at a 47-yard field goal attempt with no time on the clock. Babin’s kick sailed just left leaving the halftime score 13-0.

To open the second half, the Rocks shut the Aggies down forcing a punt where SSC took over on its own 23-yard line.

Bernard went to the air and hit Lex Rhodes for a 32-yard gain and later a 14-yard gain. The Rocks put together a 12-play drive that resulted in a 10-yard scoring toss from Bernard to Oliver with 5:43 left to play in the third quarter. The scoring play followed a failed field goal where an inadvertent whistle caused the play to be run again. Babin converted on the PAT to make the score 13-7.

On three consecutive possessions by both teams at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth quarter, interceptions were thrown – two by SSC and one by FCAHS.

Following the second Aggie interception, FCAHS took over at the Rock 23-yard line. Four plays later, the Aggies scored when Green rushed four yards for a touchdown following a block on a field goal with 8:27 left in the game. Green converted on the PAT to make the score 20-7.

Two possessions later, the Rocks tossed their fourth interception of the game which became a 45-yard return for a touchdown with 5:11 to play in regulation. Green converted the PAT to make the score 27-7.

On the ensuing possession by SSC, Bernard hooked up with Liam Hayes for gains of six and seven yards followed by a 36-yard pickup from Rhodes into the FCAHS red zone.

Bernard capped the drive with a one-yard scoring dive with 1:51 left to play. Babin converted on the PAT to make the final score 27-14.

SSC head coach Evan Gay commented, “Our boys played hard. I am happy with their effort because they did not quit and put themselves in position to possibly force a different outcome. Our defense played extremely well getting stops in compromising positions. This group has learned a completely new offensive system and defensive system and played relentlessly all night. We are excited about playing for the Crab Trap this week and defending our house. The culture is changing and we are excited about seeing that.”

The Rocks were led by Lex Rhodes with seven catches for 154 yards on offense and six tackles with five solos and a pass break-up on defense. Sal Riccardi led the defense with 13 total tackles with four solos, a sack, three tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.

Drake Schmitt and Fischer Smith each added seven total tackles. Bernard finished with 219 yards passing with a touchdown and four interceptions on 14-for-39 passing.

The Rocks will host the Bay High Tigers ‘between the walls’ in the 59th game of the series between the two schools that is now called the Battle for the Crab Trap. Last week the Tigers fell to Faith Academy of Alabama 35-7. Game time is set for 7 p.m.