Bishop Guilfoyle shuts down Purchase Line in semifinals

Tagged under: District 6, Gameday Hub

Avery Falisec | November 8, 2020

Junior fullback Jayce Brooks picks up a block from senior tight end Isaac Huey and senior guard Clayton Patrick (above).

The Purchase Line Red Dragons knew that their semifinal game against the Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders wouldn’t be all smooth sailing. In fact, the Marauders proved just how right the Dragons were Saturday night as they shut them out with a final score 35-0. While Bishop Guilfoyle’s size and speed dominated on all fronts, Purchase Line could not find their way.

Things went wrong very quickly for the Dragons. Bishop Guilfoyle’s defensive line wouldn’t allow for any movement up the middle or to the sides, so that drive ended in a punt that didn’t make it past midfield. Purchase Line’s defense stepped up and held the Marauders at the 42-yard line. They tried for a field goal, but it went just outside the goal posts, leaving the Dragons with the ball near midfield.

With first down runs from senior running back Joshua Syster and junior full back Jayce Brooks, Purchase Line had some momentum, but from there, they had no room to run, causing a punt. On the next play, senior running back Keegan Myrick took it from his own 30-yard line to the Purchase Line 36. A 40-yard pass from senior quarterback Konner Kiesewetter to junior wide receiver Haden Garner made for the first Marauder touchdown of the night with two and a half minutes left in the first quarter, and a score of 7-0.

Syster completed a short swing pass to junior Mello Sanchez, advancing to the 47-yard line, but the ball was fumbled. Luckily, Purchase Line was able to make the recovery. Bishop Guilfoyle was called for a penalty on the next play, and then Brooks took it up the field for a few yards as the quarter ended. The score was 7-0.

Purchase Line’s struggles transferred into the second quarter. Syster tried to get past the Bishop Guilfoyle line, but was unsuccessful. However, on a low snap forcing Syster to pick the ball up off of the ground, he was able to avoid the oncoming defenders and get a first down and more to the 20-yard line. On the next couple of plays, the Dragons were taken down before even making it to the line of scrimmage.

The Marauders got the ball back after the Dragons couldn’t convert on a fourth down attempt. Soon after, Garner took a direct snap and took it to the house for a big touchdown run, making the score 14-0. Purchase Line was soon faced with a three and out, and the rest of the half was made up of Bishop Guilfoyle offense. With 18 seconds left, Kiesewetter, under pressure from senior defensive end Clayton Patrick, scrambled around for a receiver, but eventually tucked the ball in and slipped 15 yards past Purchase Line for the touchdown. The score at the end of the first half was 21-0.

The Dragons tried an onside kick to start the second half, but it was unsuccessful, and the Marauders ended up starting at the Dragon’s 32-yard line. Myrick stepped up with the first 10-yard run, and then Kiesewetter threw a 6-yard pass to senior tight end Andrew Yanoshak, who was able to get to the 13-yard line. A few plays later, Myrick took it in for a 4-yard touchdown, increasing Bishop Guilfoyle’s lead, 28-0.

The offense in white could not find anywhere to go on the ground, so they had to try passing again. Freshman quarterback John Elick dropped back to pass, but a miscommunication caused the ball to be intercepted by Kiesewetter, who brought it to the 39-yard line. After two runs from Myrick, Patrick finally broke through the line and sacked Garner, who was standing in at quarterback. The Marauders took to the air for the next two plays, but the Dragon’s coverage wouldn’t allow any advancement, so they took over on fourth down. Purchase Line faced a quick three and out, but the punt was blocked and taken in for a touchdown by J.T. Johnston, which put the mercy rule into motion, 35-0. The Dragons came up with another three and out to end the third quarter.

The Marauders began the fourth quarter with a missed field goal, giving the Dragons the ball back at the 26-yard line. Sanchez had a big run across the 30-yard line, but Purchase Line’s offensive line gave Syster and Elick no time to make a play. Despite this, Elick was able to get the ball out to sophomore wide receiver Andrew Beer for a first down. The Dragons kept trying to pass, but the Marauders were covering too well for the receivers to make the catches. Bishop Guilfoyle got the ball back but there was not enough time left for them to score. The Marauders shut the Dragons out, with a final score of 35-0.

Despite this loss, the Dragons were still able to end the season better than they started, coming back to defeat two teams that they lost to in regular season, and getting the opportunity to play at Mansion Park Stadium for the semifinals. Their final record was 4-5.

Brooks said, “It was a great experience to make it this far. No one expected us to, after the first few games, but we shocked a lot of people. In doing this, I think that we will have a better feel next year. Less pressure and with the experience we gained, we will be a better team.”

Head Coach Matthew Falisec said, “After a rough start to the season, I don’t think anyone would’ve predicted where our season would end. I’m proud of the way the boys have battled all season long. The seniors have been a big part of this team for many years and we will all miss their contributions to the program. I look forward to seeing what the underclassmen can do next year.”

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