St. Thomas More Knights vs Carson Graham Eagles

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To be one of the best teams in the province, programs have to be able to run the football effectively. The St. Thomas More Knights use their triple option attack to do just that every single week. This past Friday, when STM took on the Carson Graham Eagles, the Knights stuck to their status quo and pounded the rock, chewed up the clock and came away with a 30-19 victory.

STM running back Cristian Coletta loves his team's run-first mentality. Coletta got the ball early and often, being a true workhorse for the Knights, running 24 times for 143 yards on the ground. Coletta and fellow back  Milano Peloso's success on the ground got STM's offence rolling early.

The Knights turned that quick start into a 13-0 lead as the Eagles had no answer for Coletta and company. Isaiah Smith opened the scoring, keeping the ball himself on a triple option for a 15-yard run and score. The Knights extended their lead when Smith hit Adam Graham for a 7-yard scoring catch in the back of the endzone. 

Down by 13, Carson Graham's passing attack got to work. Eagles' quarterback Josh Barber distributed the ball to his targets to move Carson Graham to midfield before launching a go ball to receiver Henry Ryan. The Eagles' playmaker would come down with that pass while being covered by two Knights on an impressive touchdown reception. 

Despite the change in momentum after that big play, the Knights weren't phased. They got right back to their bread and butter as Adam Graham answered Ryan's big play with one of his own on a 60-yard rush. 

The Knights would add to their lead before halftime with Mateo Plecko hitting a 33-yard field goal to make it  23-7 at halftime. That make marked the 4th consecutive game Plecko has made good on a field goal attempt. He has yet to miss this season.

Isaiah Smith appeared to put away the game for good in the third quarter with a 43-yard triple option run to go up 30-7. That score would be the Knights' last of the game as head coach Jared Power noticed a giant dip in his team's energy from that point in the game forward. 

That lull was one that Carson Graham would take advantage of. They kept fighting and scored two more majors through the air, to bring the game within 11 points. Unfortunately for the Eagles, time expired in their comeback bid and STM held on for a 30-19 win.

Power was enthused by his team's effort for most of the game, but knows the Knights need to play at that level until the final whistle.  

“ I am happy with how we started the game, and we continue to grow as a team. We need to be able to finish games strong,  as I feel we let complacency seep in during the second half. We can’t let that happen if we want success throughout the season.”

The Knights will enjoy their win, but look to play a full four quarters next Friday when they take on the Terry Fox Ravens.

Other standout performances for the Knights.

-Isaiah Smith had 87 rushing yards 1TD, 37 passing yards 1 td and 2 tackles on defense.

- Rohin Badesha had 4 tackles 2 sacks and 1 int defensively for the Knights.

-Adam Graham: 61 yds rushing 1TD, 1 receiving TD, 5 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

-Alex Jaspar was a constant disruption in the backfield from nose tackle and made 5 tackles from his spot.