Shamrocks win handily against Ashley

It was a cold, rainy and windy night on Friday, October 19th when the Shamrocks visited Ashley to take on the Bears. The Shamrocks had their back against the wall, needing a win to qualify for playoffs, and the Shamrocks stepped up to the challenge, with a final score of 39-18.

The Shamrocks succumbed to the Ashley teams significant size advantage and gave up the first score of the game when the Bears marched down the field and ended up completing a 31-yard touchdown pass to make the score 6-0 after the Shamrocks stopped the two-point conversion. St. Patrick’s wasted no time, going the length of the field and seeing Ned Smith put the Shamrocks on the board with a 36-yard touchdown scamper. John Schneider added the 2-point conversion making the score 8-6 Shamrocks. The Shamrocks figured it out on defense, and after stopping the Bears, quickly added another score and two-point conversion making the score 16-6 after the 1st quarter.

In the 2nd quarter, the Shamrocks again scored when John Schneider ran it in from the 6-yard line, the extra point kick was no good leaving the score 22-6. The Bears were not done, when on 4 down and long, they connected for a 68-yard touchdown pass making the score 22-12 at halftime.

The 3rd quarter was all Shamrocks as Quarterback Connor Cross connected with Tanner Lawson for a 37-yard touchdown pass. Cross ran in the 2-point conversion making the score 30-12. The Shamrocks struck again, when Jeff Davlin kicked in a 34-yard field goal making the score 33-12 Shamrocks.

In the 4th quarter, the Shamrocks would put one more score up when Cross connected with Paul Cook for a 4-yard touchdown pass. A missed extra point left the score 39-12. The Bears put one more score up, making the final 39-18.

Coach Russman was excited about the win. “Our boys played hard in a must win game. Ashley has some big guys, and they are well coached. It is nice to make it to the playoffs again. Having Senior Paul Cook come back from a knee injury really makes us healthy for the first time this year.”

Offensive leaders were Ned Smith with 27 carries for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns. John Schneider rushed 11 times for 74 yards and 1 touchdown. Quarterback Connor Cross was 3 for 8 for 42 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Paul Cook rushed 4 times for 24 yards, and caught a touchdown, and Tanner Lawson caught one pass for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Defensive leaders were Alex Kissane with 15 tackles, Ned Smith with 11 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 tackles for loss (TFL), Paul Cook, Jeff Davlin and Riley Kissane all had 7 tackles as well.

The Shamrocks will be playing in the Division 2 playoffs next weekend. Probable opponent will be next Saturday, 10/27 at 1 pm.