Shamrocks sack the Vandals

On Thursday, August 28th, the Portland St. Patrick Shamrocks travelled to Merrill to take on the Vandals. The Shamrocks showed their depth and athleticism, and dominated the game from start to finish, winning 62-12 over a solid Merrill team.

In the first quarter, the Shamrocks wasted no time, pounding down the field on the first drive and finishing on a Jerryd Scheurer 34 yard touchdown rush. A failed extra point left the score 6-0. On the next series, the Shamrocks shut down the Vandals, and drove down the field again, finishing with a Hudson King 9 yard rushing touchdown. Brady Leonard pounded in the two point conversion, leaving the score 14-0. The Shamrocks completed the first quarter with a Jerryd Scheurer 1 yard touchdown, and the score was 20-0 after one quarter of play. 

In the second quarter, the Shamrocks continued to dominate, stifling the Merrill offense, and moving the ball at will. Jerryd Scheurer returned a Vandal punt 39 yards for a touchdown, and Kaedan Brown punched in the two point conversion, leaving the score 28-0. Brady Leonard took a pass from Jerryd Scheurer 13 yards for a touchdown, and Brody Beckhold kicked it through the uprights to make the score 35-0. Merrill followed that up with a 32 yard pass to make the score 35-6, before the Shamrocks marched down the field and capped the drive with a Mason Simon 1 yard touchdown run, followed by a successful extra point kick from Brody Beckhold, making the score 42-6. Brody Beckhold then capped off the first half with a 25 yard field goal, making the score 45-6 going into the half. 

The third quarter saw a running clock, and more Shamrock excellence. Brady Leonard started the scoring with a 24 yard touchdown rush, followed by another Beckhold kick, making the score 52-6. Kaedan Brown punched his ticket with a 6 yard run, and another Beckhold kick, making the score 59-6. A dropped coverage let Merrill punch back, making the score 59-12 at the end of three quarters. 

The Shamrocks played good defense in a shortened fourth quarter, and Brody Beckhold booted a 37 yard field goal through the uprights to make the final score 62-12. 

Offensive leaders for the Shamrocks were Hudson King who had 14 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown, Brady Leonard who had 10 carries for 77 yards and 1 rushing touchdown, and also caught a 13 yard touchdown pass, Jerryd Scheurer had 2 carries for 35 yards and 2 touchdowns and went 1 for 2 for 13 yards in the air. 

Defensive leaders for the Shamrocks were Ben White who had 10 tackles 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss (TFL), Aiden Mosser had 7 tackles and 1 TFL, and Brady Leonard had 6 tackles and 2 interceptions. Isaiah Rockey had 4 tackles 1 sack and 1 TFL, and Charlie Thelen had 3 tackles 1 sack and 1 TFL. 

The Shamrocks travel to Morrice for the grudge match against the Orioles on Friday, September 5th at 7pm.