Quarter One: Southwest Florida Christian Kings vs. Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School Falcons
Saint Stephens won their matchup over Southwest Florida Christian in large part to their rushing attack.
The Falcons led by eighth grade QB Fred Billy who had four carries for 62 yards and a touchdown to go along with 14 yards on 2-2 passing as Saint Stephens won 7-0.
Saint Stephens ran the ball effectively with their three back system. Junior RB Luc Goeders had two carries for 24 yards while Griffin Donnelly, also a junior running back, pitched in 10 yards on two carries and a five yard reception. Saint Stephen’s scored on their first drive of the game going 72 yards in 5 plays led by the rushing efforts of Billy, who had a 45 yard burst and scored on a 4 yard keeper.
From there the defense took over for the Falcons as they kept the visiting Kings from doing much offensively, especially with defense applying pressure to the Kings’ quarterback.
The Kings led offensively by senior Quarterback Terrance DeAvila and junior running back Garrett Pynckel. DeAvila finished the quarter with 25 yards of total offense while Pynckel carried the ball six times for 38 yards. Junior running back Justin Vasquez had 18 yards total.
The spring football season was big for Saint Stephen’s development which saw them replace four graduating lineman, three four-year starters and one three-year starter.
With the group that Saint Stephen’s had on the field, left head coach Tod Creneti impressed.
“One year [of] combined of varsity football experience [for the team] including three freshmen and one player brand new to football. The big plays were huge, they were patient,” Creneti said.
Overall, Creneti was happy that they didn’t force anything and allowed the plays to develop.
Quarter Two: Southwest Florida Christian Kings vs. Bradenton Christian Panthers
In the second matchup Bradenton Christian scored a touchdown with less than a minute to go to defeat the Kings 6-0.
The Panthers, led by sophomore Quarterback Joey Giardina, was effective with his legs and his arms moving the ball downfield. Giardina was 2-4 for 23 yards passing and carried the ball four times for 33 yards.
Sophomore running back Zach Cooper was the most impressive player in this game, rushing the ball five times for 35 yards and a touchdown. Cooper ran the ball with a great combination of speed and power as he routinely broke tackles and was never taken down by one man.
Junior Wide Receiver Wade Carter had 19 yards receiving for the Panthers.
The Panthers defensive line was in the backfield all game long led by junior Austin Rill. The Kings struggled to move the ball consistently the entire game, amassing 65 yards total. 54 yards of the 65 yards came on a run by Quarterback Terrence DeAvila. DeAvila to finish the game with four carries for 65 yards and 5 yards passing on the day.
The rest of the Kings offense was unable to move the ball during the game, finish the night with minus five yards on plays when DeAvila did not have the ball.
Quarter Three: Bradenton Christian Panthers vs. Saint Stephens Episcopal School Falcons
In a defensive battle, the visiting Panthers edged out rival Saint Stephen’s 9-7 in a game as neither team’s offense scored a touchdown.
The game started off with Saint Stephen’s QB Fred Billy being tackled in the end zone for a safety giving the Panther a 2-0 lead. The sack would be the difference maker in the quarter.
After going back and forth, Saint Stephens’s freshman CB Jordon Murrell picked off a Joey Giardina pass and returned the ball 62 yards for the go ahead score for the Falcons to take a 7-2 lead.
However, the Falcons lead was short-lived.
On the ensuing kickoff, junior Peyton Spencer returned the kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown that became the game winning score.
The Panthers were able to hold off the Falcons last-minute attempts with a solid defensive showing.
Zach Cooper of Bradenton Christian had another solid effort running the ball as he had eight carries for 36 yards. Sophomore Fielding Goodwin had the quarter’s longest offensive play, a 30 yard rushing play. Giardina finished the quarter with three carries for 15 yards.
Saint Stephens finished the quarter with minus one yard on offense for and was hurt by penalties that called a few key pass plays back.
For Bradenton Christian, the Panthers were able to move the ball well, but unable to finish drives.
Saint Stephen’s Senior and captain RB Luc Goeders was highly impressed with his team’s performance in both games.
“We’re young, but extremely talented and raw with potential thru the roof. The summer weights programs along with spending more time learning offensive and defensive schemes will turn the Falcons into a force to be reckoned with in the fall,” Goeders said.
Most Impressive Players
- Bradenton Christian RB Zach Cooper – Cooper ran the ball with power and speed and finished the jamboree with 14 carries for 71 yards and one touchdown.
- Saint Stephen’s QB Fred Billy – Billy who is an eighth grader ran the ball well off the option and did well passing the ball between the two games. Billy finished with 95 yards of total offense and one rushing touchdown on the day.
- Bradenton Christian DL Austin Rill – The junior defensive linemen finished the day with eight tackles and was a nightmare for both opposing offensive lines, routinely causing pressure.
- Bradenton Christian QB Joey Giardina – Giardina was effective in the pocket and on his feet as he amassed 71 yards between both games in the jamboree.
- Bradenton Christian WR Peyton Spencer – The junior had the jamboree’s longest play, a 99 yard kickoff return for a touchdown and broke 3 tackles on his way to the end zone.
- Saint Stephen’s DB Jordon Murrell – The freshman had a 62 yard interception return for a touchdown against Bradenton Christian, where he outmatched the receiver for the ball and taking off down the sideline for the end zone.
