Shamrocks surge on the Gridiron

The Portland St. Patrick's Shamrocks started the season off right with a huge victory over the Battle Creek St. Philip Tigers, winning the season opener 46-8.

In the first quarter, the defenses dominated with the Shamrocks winning the quarter 7-0 with a 15-yard rushing touchdown by John Schneider and an extra point by Jeff Davlin.

The Shamrocks exploded in the second quarter and put the game out of reach, winning the quarter 33-0 and heading into the half leading 40-0. The scoring started with Ned Smith blasting into the endzone on a 13-yard run. Ned followed it up with a 2-yard touchdown run. John Schneider followed up with 2 touchdowns of 26 and 33 yards. Quarterback Connor Cross scampered in the final seconds of the first half, rushing for a 40-yard touchdown right before the half.

In the third quarter, the Shamrocks came out with their starting offensive unit, and quickly scored again on a 46-yard pass from Connor Cross to Zach Spitzley.

The Tigers struck with about a minute left of a running clock to make the final score 46-8.

Offensive leaders for the Shamrocks were John Schneider who rushed for 141 yards on 12 attempts with 2 touchdowns, Ned Smith who rushed for 109 yards on 10 attempts and 2 touchdowns, and Connor Cross who rushed for 90 yards on 11 attempts with 1 touchdown. Quarterback Connor Cross also went 3-5 for 86 yards and a touchdown in the air.

Defensively the Shamrocks were dominant. Alex Kissane and Derec Fedewa led all tacklers with 8 tackles each, and John Schneider and Bret Weller both tackled 7.

The Shamrocks play next Saturday, at home at 7 pm versus Tekonsha.

Photos above by Anne Bennett. Visit the Beacon Facebook page for more photos from this game by Lindsey Bos.