The St. Mary’s Rams dropped their first game of the season Friday night against the Faith Academy Knights of Bellville 64-18.
Faith Academy began the game with a bit of trickery with an onside kick on the opening kick-off. The Knights recovered the kick and would go on to score and nail the extra point attempt, making the score 8-0 with 7:18 left in the first quarter.
The Rams were unable to capitalize on the next possession, which ended with a turnover after two consecutive bad deep snaps.
Faith Academy would take possession in good field position, and scored with 3:18 left in the first quarter. St. Mary’s defense were able to block the PAT to keep the game 14-0.
After a four and out for the Rams, a Knights passing touchdown put them up 20-0 after a failed PAT.
St. Mary’s received a spark from Tyler Zimmerhanzel who ran back the next kick-off for a touchdown. Unfortunately for the Rams, a holding call erased the touchdown leaving the score at 20-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Faith Academy was able to score early in the second quarter giving them a 28-0 lead. The Rams responded by getting to the Knight 20 yard line with just under 8 minutes left in the half. After a loss of 8 yards, Rams quarterback Kolbe Barta found Zimmerhanzel for a touchdown to get on the board 28-6.
The Knights returned the kick-off and completed the PAT to make the score 36-6.
A short run by the Rams was stopped just short of the goal line, which gave Faith Academy another opportunity to score to take a 42-6 lead into the half.
The Rams made a run in the second half that began with a defensive stand and a 55-yard pass from Barta to Brady Altman for a touchdown, cutting the score to 42-12.
The Rams defense made more big plays in the third, including a turnover in the backfield caused by Altman.
Barta and Altman connected again on a 30-yard touchdown to cut the Knights lead to 42-18.
The Knights were able to stop the Rams run and pull away to claim the victory.
The Rams are back in action next week for Homecoming against St. Paul’s Preparatory.
