Click the button above to join the mailing list.   Unsubscribe by clicking the "SafeUnsubscribe" link at the bottom of this email.  

"The defense carried us.  We couldn't have done it without them," said seven-year head coach, Randy Dreiling.  "This team is best when the defense gets stops, and they played great.  We also had some strong play on offense, including some big plays.  Now the key is to put it all together this week."--RD
Multimedia links
Multi-media Links
  
Game Recap

Saints defeat Timberwolves 32 - 7
  
 
 
St. Thomas Aquinas defeated Blue Valley Southwest, 32-7, in the state quarterfinals at home Friday night, earning a spot in sub-state for the seventh consecutive season.
 
The Saints (6-3) gained over twice as many yards as the Timberwolves (476-230) and averaged three times as many yards per play (9.3-3.0).
 
Aquinas permitted the fewest points since starting the season with a shutout over St. James.
 
"The defense carried us.  We couldn't have done it without them," said seven-year head coach, Randy Dreiling.  "This team is best when the defense gets stops, and they played great.  We also had some strong play on offense, including some big plays.  Now the key is to put it all together this week."
 
Despite six turnovers, Aquinas dominated on offense and defense.  The Saints rushed for all their yards, averaging 10 yards per run, and limited Blue Valley Southwest to 16 yards rushing, including half a yard per carry.
 
"We made some mistakes on offense, but I also think we made progress with the running game, going both inside and outside," said Dreiling.  "At different points in the season, we've had success doing a number of things.  The key now is to put it all together in this final stretch of the season."
 
Senior back, Tyron "Tank" Young, rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries.  Each score was a run of over 30 yards.  
 
Sophomore fullback, Sean Carroll, rushed for 188 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
 
Senior defensive tackle, Caden Reeves, was unstoppable, racking up three sacks, three tackles for a loss, three hurries, and nine tackles overall.
 
Sophomore defensive end, Sa'o Siavi'i, had three sacks, three tackles for a loss, four hurries, and broke up a pass.  Senior defensive end, Cameron Penny, added two sacks, a tackle for a loss, and two pass breakups.
 
Will Gavin and Dajni Brooks each broke up four passes, and Gavin had eight tackles.
 
On the opening drive, starting from their 43, Blue Valley Southwest converted 3rd and 10 and 3rd and 8 before Jalen Marshall sacked the quarterback, setting up 2nd and 23, and the Timberwolves turned the ball over on downs at the 7:55 mark.
 
On the Saints' second play on offense, Young ran 64 yards for a score on a pitch right, to lead, 6-0.
 
Following a Reeves tackle for loss, Jacob Bittner breakup, and Reeves sack, the teams swapped punts.  Back on defense, Reeves had another sack, Gavin broke up a pass, and Brooks blew up a pass into the flat with a big hit, forcing a turnover on downs.
 
Aquinas scored on eight plays, including six runs by Carroll, including the touchdown, for a 13-0 lead.
 
Following a 49-yard touchdown pass to start the second quarter, Blue Valley Southwest's only score of the game, Aquinas answered with another big Young run, this one 31 yards, and a 19-7 lead.
 
Aquinas forced a punt but ended the half with four consecutive turnovers.
 
After a muffed punt, the Timberwolves took over at the Saints' 15-yard line, but Brooks broke up a pass in the end zone, Gavin broke one up over the middle, and Siavi'i sacked the quarterback for a loss of 12 yards before a turnover on downs.
 
The Saints began the second half with another long touchdown run by Young of 52 yards on a triple-option pitch right, extending the lead, 25-7.
 
Following three Aquinas stops and two Aquinas turnovers, the Saints tacked on one more score in the fourth quarter, a 17-yard touchdown run by sophomore slot back, Xavier Horn, to make the final score, 32-7.

  
EKL Scores Last Week - Regionals
Class 5A Playoffs
St. Thomas Aquinas 32, Blue Valley Southwest 7
Class 6A Playoffs
Blue Valley North 30, Shawnee Mission Northwest 6
Olathe North 28, Blue Valley 21
Class 4A Playoffs
Bishop Miege 30, Tonganoxie 7
St. James Academy 56, Basehor-Linwood 35

EKL Schedule This Week - Sub-State
Class 5A Playoffs
St. Thomas Aquinas at Mill Valley
Class 6A Playoffs
Blue Valley North at Olathe North
Class 4A Playoffs
Bishop Miege at St. James Academy
 
Follow the Saints on Social Media