The Saints ground out a win Friday night at Raytown, 28-14, moving to 3-0 this season.
The Saints and Bluejays (3-2) were about even on number of plays (55-54, Raytown) and time of possession (24-24), but Aquinas out-gained Raytown, 266-207, and won turnovers, 2-0.
Junior defensive backs, Will Gavin and Dajni Brooks, each had an interception. Brooks' was a pick-six to end the game.
"It was a physical football game, by both teams on both sides of the ball," said Aquinas coach, Randy Dreiling. "We showed we can win a game like that, by taking care of the ball and making plays when we need it."
In addition to the two big interceptions, senior quarterback, Blake Anderson hit junior wideout Evan Kammerer on a 32-yard touchdown pass 38 seconds before the end of the first half to put the Saints up, 14-7. 
Aquinas gained 220 yards rushing and 46 yards passing. But Aquinas's two pass completions were key, the touchdown pass, as well as an Anderson-Kammerer connection on 3rd and long on the scoring drive.
"Both passes were right where they needed to be, and we needed that touchdown," said Dreiling. "We threw only once last week, and had just the two completions this week, but obviously we know we can count on the passing game."
Notably, Anderson left the game on the second-to-last drive against Raytown with a foot injury. Also notably, starting fullback Tyron "Tank" Young did not play against Raytown.
Sophomore fullback, Sean Carroll, rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Anderson rushed for 62 yards on 17 carries.
The Aquinas defense limited Raytown to 182 yards rushing and 25 passing.
The defensive line had another big night. Junior defensive lineman, Jalen Marshall, led the tackle chart with six solo tackles and a tackle for a loss. Senior defensive lineman, Caden Reeves, had two hurries. Senior safety, Elias Carson, and Gavin each had four solo tackles. Junior linebacker, Payton Ptasnik had six solo tackles and one tackle for loss. Senior defensive end, Cameron Penny, had a hurry. 
"Any time you limit a team like Raytown, who had several good runners, to that yardage, you've have a good night," said Dreiling. "We continue to expect excellent play from our defense."
Raytown started the game going three-and-out and punted to their own 45-yard line. Raytown then lined up off-sides a couple times, and the Saints took advantage, running Carroll outside right for 10 yards, then Anderson eight yards on a counter. Carroll ran 15 yards inside left, then twice more, and Anderson finished it off with a one-yard run for a 7-0 lead.
Taking over, Raytown gained two first downs, but Marshall, Sa'o Siavi'i, and Reeves stops left the Bluejays facing 4th and 6 at the 14. But the Raytown quarterback kept the ball on zone read and ran for a touchdown, tying the game, 7-7, in the first quarter.
Raytown recovered an onside kick but went three-and-out after Penny knocked down the quarterback on 3rd-and-9 play action.
Taking over at their 36, the Saints gained first downs on two Carroll fourth-down runs, but an Anderson touchdown run was called back and the drive stalled on penalties. 
After Raytown was forced to punt, Anderson found Kammerer on a 15-yard out route on 3rd and 9, then found him again seven plays later crossing through the end zone running underneath a 32-yard touchdown pass just before half.
The Saints opened the second half with a 12-play, 79-yard scoring drive. Sophomore slot back, Xavier Horn, ran 11 yards on a triple option right. Anderson ran for two consecutive first downs on runs of 11 and 12 yards. Horn ran 8 yards on a backward pass in the right flat. Then Carroll ran three consecutive times, the final a five-yard score on a second effort bouncing off a tackler at the 4.
The Saints led, 21-7, after six runs of seven yards or more on the drive.
Raytown gained four first downs on the subsequent drive but on 4th and 6 to start the fourth quarter, Gavin intercepted a slant route at the Aquinas 26-yard line.
The Saints gained two first downs, but on 4th and 3 at the Raytown 37 with 8:47 remaining, Anderson kept the ball around right end for no gain and hurt his foot.
Raytown faced 4th and 4 on its first set of downs but gained the first down on another quarterback keep on zone read. 
Then, facing 3rd and 8, Raytown heaved a pass up the right hashes and came up with a reception, setting them up on the Aquinas 22-yard line.
But Ptasnik stopped a screen pass, Reeves stopped a sweep, and Tommy Malicoat also stopped a sweep. Aquinas then intercepted in the end zone on 4th and 8 but pass interference was called. On 4th and goal, Raytown scored on rocket toss left, narrowing the score, 21-14, with 1:23 left.
Gavin recovered the onside kick, despite a hard hit. Aquinas couldn't move the ball but punted to the 4. On second down, after Raytown nearly completed a deep ball on first down, Brooks ended the game with a pick-six.
