St. Thomas Aquinas suffered its first loss of the season, 39-27, to Lawrence Friday night at home.

 

The Saints (4-1) trailed, 20-0, seven minutes into the game following two turnovers inside their own red zone that resulted in touchdowns.  

 

Aquinas narrowed the score to 20-14 at halftime and 26-21 and 32-27 in the second half but never overcame the early deficit to the Lions (5-0).

 

"Credit to Lawrence causing turnovers and capitalizing early," said coach Randy Dreiling.  "They played well all game long on both sides of the ball.  We will get better because of this."

 

Aquinas out-gained Lawrence in total offense, 395-323, and averaged more yards per play, 5.9-5.4.  Aquinas out-rushed the Lions, 202-152, and won the passing game, 193-171, including yards per pass, 27-15.

 

However, Aquinas had the two turnovers deep in their territory, and Lawrence's drives started on average from their 46-yard line, compared to Aquinas starting on average from their 21-yard line.  Lawrence's scoring drives in the first quarter started from the Aquinas 8, Lawrence 46, and Aquinas 15.

 

"It's time to look forward," said Dreiling.  "There are positive takeaways from this game.  We have a number of young guys out on the field getting better each week.  The good news is this isn't the playoffs, and we have another opportunity next week. Losing is never a positive, but we have to take what we can from this."

 

Sophomore quarterback, Maxwell Ford, passed for 193 yards and a touchdown on 7 of 14 passing and rushed for 31 yards and two touchdowns.  

 

Senior fullback, Tyron "Tank" Young, gutted out 157 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries.

 

Junior wideout, Evan Kammerer, had 141 receiving yards and a touchdown, including an incredible 90-yard sideline grab and run after the catch.  Sophomore slot back, Jeremiah Penney, had 39 receiving yards. 

 

"Evan's catch to set up our final touchdown was phenomenal,"  said Dreiling.  "He's really become a weapon for us in recent weeks.  Great job by him."

 

Senior defensive lineman, Caden Reeves, led the tackle chart with 8 solo tackles, and junior defensive lineman, Jalen Marshall, had a hurry, broke up a pass, and blocked an extra point.

 

The Saints fumbled a pitch right on the third play of the game, and Lawrence fullback, Devin Neal, punched it in from the 8-yard line for a 7-0 lead.

 

Aquinas gained a first down but punted to the Lawrence 47-yard line.  An inside slant set up another Neal touchdown run and a 14-0 Lawrence lead.

 

On Aquinas's first play, the defense batted down a pitch right, and Lawrence ran in another touchdown to lead, 20-0, just seven minutes into the game.

 

The Saints settled down on offense and went on a 91-yard, 14-play, six-minute scoring drive.  On 2nd and 12, Penney received an out pattern for 36 yards, setting up the Saints in Lion territory.  Young then had runs of 5, 4, 8, and 8, before Ford finished off the drive, running on four of the final five plays, narrowing the score, 20-7.

 

Lawrence passed three times and punted to the Aquinas 37.

 

Aquinas went on another 14-play drive.  The Saints gained four or fewer yards on the first eight plays, including a Young run on 4th and 2.  Young then broke loose for 17 yards on a toss left.  Ford then kept it for 13 yards.  Young ran three times for 12 total yards, and Ford snuck into the end zone at the 3:29 mark, making it 20-14.

 

Lawrence gained two first downs but stalled at the Aquinas 35, thanks to Sa'o Siavi'i pressure, a Dajni Brooks stop of Neal on a sweep, a Will Gavin stop, and Reeves pressure on 4th and 7.

 

The Saints drove into Lawrence territory but ran out of time.

 

Lawrence opened the second half with four first downs and a 47-yard touchdown pass on an inside-out route on the right side, extending the lead to 26-14.

 

Aquinas punted, but senior linebacker, Tommy Malicoat, blitzed from the right edge and batted down a 3rd and 10 pass, forcing a punt.

 

A 15-yard pass interference penalty on Lawrence defending Kammerer brought the Saints to midfield.  Young ran three times for 11 total yards, then Ford found Kammerer for a 39-yard touchdown at the 1:04 mark.  Lawrence led, 26-21.

 

But the Lions returned the kick to their 44-yard line.  Freshman defensive back, Blake O'Brien, stopped a touchdown run up the middle, but Tre' Jackson caught a 38-yard touchdown pass on his back just over the goal line to stretch the lead to 32-21 at the end of the third quarter.

 

The Saints punted, but the defense made a big stop.  On 2nd and 2 at the Saints' 45-yard line, Cameron Penny dropped Neal for a 4-yard loss.  After an incomplete quick slant, Lawrence punted to the Saints' 9-yard line.

 

On 2nd and 14, Ford rolled left after play action and threw up the left sideline to Kammerer, who came back and ripped it away from the defensive back on the sideline at the Saints' 40, gave a couple juke moves, and ran across the field to the Lawrence 6-yard line.  Young scored on two carries but came down just short of the goal line on the two-pointer.  Lawrence led, 32-27.

 

Lawrence converted two third downs, a 14-yard screen pass to Neal, received a pass interference call, and scored on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line to put the game out of reach with 1:56 left, 39-27.