Shamrocks continue win streak

After a lackluster drubbing of Flint Cultural Academy last week, the Shamrocks took to the road to take on the undefeated Pickford Panthers for a showdown between two of the best teams in the State. The only time these two teams have faced each other was in 2019, when Pickford dominated the Shamrocks in the State Championship game. This year both teams came in undefeated, and ranked in the top two in the state, with Pickford being in Division I and St. Patrick in Division II. This year, the Shamrocks came to play, and came out with a very solid performance, winning the game 28-18.

In the first quarter, it was all defense, with both teams struggling to consistently move the ball. Pickford picked up a score and that made it 0-6 after one quarter.

The second quarter saw the Shamrocks pound in one of their own when Caleb Pline rumbled in from the two yard line, and Tyler Thelen put St. Patrick on top when he kicked it through the uprights, making the score 7-6 Shamrocks going into the half.

In the third quarter, these two excellent teams beat each other up pretty bad, with some of the best tough football you will see outside of a State Championship game. St. Patrick extended their lead when Emmet Fandel broke loose for a 30 yard run, and then connected on a pass to his brother Aiden for the two point conversion, making the score 15-6. Pickford showed their mettle, and scored twice more in the quarter, making the score 15-18 with the Panthers leading going into the final quarter.

The Shamrocks showed their conditioning and fortitude in the fourth quarter, when Aiden Fandel again broke loose and punched in a 63 yard touchdown run. The final score of the game was another St. Patrick score, when Aiden Fandel broke free from a sack and threw a good pass to Tyler Thelen in the back of the endzone to cap the game. Tyler Thelen made the final kick, giving us a final score of 28-18.

Defensive leaders for the game were Sean Thelen who had 13 tackles and 1 tackle for loss (TFL), Isaiah Rockey had 12 tackles 1 sack and 2 TFL. Sam Mustapha and Tyler Schneider both had 8 tackles as well.

Offensive leaders for the Shamrocks were Emmet Fandel who went 5 for 8 and 40 yards and a touchdown in the air, and carried the ball 19 times for 96 yards and a touchdown. Aiden Fandel carried the ball 7 times for 86 yards and 1 touchdown, Sam Mustapha carried it 5 times for 41 yards, and Caleb Pline carried it 8 times for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Portland St. Patrick travels to Fulton on Saturday, October 10th to take on their rivals. The Pirates are 4-2.