Revenge sweet for Jugglers in round of 16 victory

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The Notre Dame Jugglers and St. Thomas More Knights faced off for the second time this season in a rivarly grudge match. As both teams fought tooth and nail to keep their seasons alive, the Jugglers overpowered the Knights on their way to a 27-7 victory. 

The Jugglers' win avenged a one-point overtime loss suffered early in the season in the annual game between the two Catholic schools. In their previous matchup, both teams' defences struggled to get stops. The start of this one looked to be the same story, but just for one team. 

Notre Dame quickly scored two touchdowns as they converted on their opening drive and took advantage of an STM fumble to set up another major. Receiver Michael MacLeod struck first off a pass from Caleb Parrotta. 

After defensive end Sachin Rattan recovered that Knights fumble shortly thereafter, Parrotta would punch it in from 15 yards out along the ground. 
Parrotta and company went back to work later in the half, finishing a long drive capped by a Parrotta one-yard sneak. Just a couple of plays into the second quarter, the Jugglers were already up by 21.

STM's ensuing drive finally produced a major, a 10-yard pass for a touchdown that closed the gap to 21-7 before the halftime break. 

In the third frame, with the Knights hoping to get a stop on defence and then cut into what was just a two-score deficit, Klyde Tan had other ideas.

Tan took a screen pass and broke several tackle attempts en route to a 65-yard romp to the STM 15-yard line. From there ND capped the drive with a major, another Parrotta short sneak. The score was now 27-7 with the fourth quarter approaching.

From that point forward, the Jugglers exerted heavy pressure on the Knights as STM was forced out of their comfort zone and into throwing the ball.

Sachin Rattan, Emiliano Cortes, Diante Villegas and nose tackle David Fong all recorded quarterback sacks for defensive co-ordinator George Oswald, as the Jugglers closed out the rest of the game to win 27-7.

"The coaches were extremely proud of the team as they had a good week of preparation and played with grit and determination," said Jugglers head coach Dennis Kelly postgame.

Kelly and the Jugglers are already focused on preparations for next week. 

"We understand the challenge that faces us in Lord Tweedsmuir, a veteran, talent-laden team coming off a big victory. They have very few weaknesses and execute well in all aspects of the game."

The Jugglers will play that quarter-final game on Friday, November 14th, against the Panthers at Cloverdale Athletic Park. Kick-off is set for 1:30 pm.