The Sacred Heart High School Senior Saints (SHHS) hosted the Esterhazy Warriors Thursday afternoon. The Saints generated a total offense of 181 yards to claim a 50-6 win which maintained their undefeated record to keep them in first place in the league.
The Saints led 22-0 after one quarter. A blocked pass attempt resulted in a touchdown by Dylan Johnson. Saints running back
Preston Liebrecht ran back an Esterhazy kickoff about 80 yards following the lone touchdown by the Warriors to make the half time score 43-6 in favor of the Saints.
Sacred Heart had a bit of a scare in the third quarter when their star running back, Liebrecht went down with an apparent injury.
A third down gamble deep in their own end by the Warriors paid off as number 81 Cory Balaberda, who scored the first touchdown for Esterhazy, rambled the length of the field to score a six point major. A two point convert was good to make it 46-14 for SHHS.
The final score in the game 52-14.
SHHS statistician Jim Grela reports the Saints rushed for 101 yards and passed for 80 yards to generate a total offense of 181 yards.
Offensively on the ground, Liebrecht rushed four times for 70 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Saints signal caller Travis Buzinski was good on two of four attempts and threw for one touchdown.
Zach Todos was good on three of nine pass attempts for 69 yards and added a 58 yard TD. Dylan Johnson had two catches for 11 yards.
Logan Coutts pulled in the football twice for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Landon Madson pulled in a pass and took it 58 yards for a touchdown.
On special teams Liebrecht returned one kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. SHHS kicker Robert Okeny added a field goal.
Defensively the Saints were rock solid.
Dylan Johnson claimed one interception which he carried 68 yards for a touchdown.
Robert Okeny had seven tackles.
Martin Pearson claimed 13 tackles and a quarterback sack.
Lyndon Shea had nine tackles and a quarterback sack.
Saints head coach Trent Senger says it was the win the team was hoping for. It guarantees Sacred Heart no less than second place in the league no matter what future results might hold. It also achieved one of the team's goals, to host a playoff game.
Senger says the Saints were able to spread the ball around a little more. The receiving is picking up. The backup back, Landon Madson, ran very well for three quarters.
The Saints called on rookie Grade 10 backup quarterback Zach Todos to play for half the game, Senger reports.
The Saints played just about two and a half quarters with their backups to give everybody a chance to play. With the playoffs looming, Senger simply wants to have everybody ready to go.
Both starting quarterback Travis Buzinski and Liebrecht, injured in the game, were not seriously hurt and should be ready for the next game, Senger reports.
Following this week's game, league playoffs will begin Saturday. SHHS will host a home playoff game, it's just a matter of who they will host, Senger says.
If Sacred Heart wins the league which will be a school first, they will host either Swan River or Esterhazy. If they don't beat Foam Lake they will host Melville, Senger closes.
