St. Thomas More Knights vs Notre Dame Jugglers

There’s no more exciting way to open your season than at your own school for your homecoming game. The St. Thomas More Knights added extra buzz in their building, full of 800-plus screaming fans, by scheduling their bitter rivals, the Notre Dame Jugglers. As if all of that wasn’t enough to have the Knights campus rocking, both teams gave that crowd their money’s worth as the game came down to the wire and needed overtime before the Knights prevailed 30-29.

The Knights started the game with a bang on the opening drive. As the Jugglers were matriculating the ball downfield, they encountered a 4th and short. Notre Dame kept their offence on the field and attempted to pick up the first down by pounding the ball off tackle to the left side of their offensive line.

The Knights’ linebacking core anticipated the Jugglers’ play call perfectly, scraped over the top of Notre Dame’s O-line and stonewalled their ball carrier for a massive stop.

As the Knights’ bench erupted, their vaunted triple option offensive attack took the field. They did what they do best and kept the ball on the ground, chewing up yards and the clock, before they capped off a long drive when quarterback Isaiah Smith connected with Milano Peloso in the corner of the endzone for the opening score.

The teams would go back and forth the rest of the half, with the Juggers answering Peloso’s score before responding to Isaiah Smith’s second passing touchdown when he connected with Liam Golding for a 30-yard major. Notre Dame would connect on a late field goal to go into the half with the lead 16-13.

Down by a field goal, STM started quarter number three with possession of the ball. Ken Marasigan dropped back to pass and found Liam Golding on an out route, who tight-roped down the sidelines for his second score this time from 60 yards out.

After Notre Dame answered that touchdown on a pick-six, STM tied things up at 23 heading into the fourth quarter. The final frame of regulation saw both teams play stifling defence, holding one another scoreless. Deadlocked at 23 at the end of regulation, the game was headed to overtime.

Notre Dame got possession of the ball first and scored on their first play from scrimmage. As the Jugglers looked to extend their lead to seven, their PAT was blocked by the Knights. With the ball back in STM’s hands, all they needed was a touchdown and an extra point to send their home crowd into a frenzy with a walk off win.

The Knights’ rushing attack got to work as they pounded the ball and got one step closer to victory when Kayden Chan crossed the goal line from 8 yards out. With an iconic homecoming victory within their grasp, Knights kicker Mateo Plecko took the field.

With the whole crowd on their feet and ready to explode, the Knights’ field goal team lined up. The snap was pure, and the hold was placed perfectly. Plecko took his two steps towards the ball and made contact with his right foot. The Knights’ home crowd exploded as the kick was straight down the middle of the uprights. 30-29 STM in a homecoming win that Knights players, coaches and fans won’t soon forget.

“It was an exciting game, a good rivalry and a great event,” said Knights head coach Jared Power post-game.

Key players for the Knights were:

Kayden Chan 99yds rushing and a Touchdown in OT.

Liam Golding – 2 catches 90yds 2tds, 4 tackles and 2 knockdowns

Milano Peloso – 1 catch 11yds, 1 td, 5 tackles on Defence.

Quarterback Caleb Parrotta was lights out for the Jugglers. Throwing multiple touchdowns both while evading the rush and in structure in the pocket.

Both teams will move forward and start preparing for their week two matchups next week.