St. Patrick Catholic (Miss.) 49, Snook 20

Irish ground Eagles on Homecoming night at John T. Cobb Stadium in Elberta

Posted

ELBERTA — In what is likely a school record, Snook Christian Academy junior quarterback Philip Butts connected with sophomore receiver Corbin Hall for a 99-yard pass play on the Eagles’ second possession of the contest.

But it would not be enough as the St. Patrick Catholic High Irish of Biloxi, Mississippi, topped the Eagles 49-20 on Homecoming night at John T. Cobb Stadium in Elberta.

After the Eagles punted on their first possession, St. Patrick took over on their own 49 and took just three plays to score with junior running back Thomas Salloum running it in from 23 yards out and senior kicker Philip Hage adding the extra point to put the Irish up 7-0 with 6:47 left in the opening period.

The ensuing kickoff, which appeared to be headed for the endzone, took a decidedly Irish bounce, leaving the ball at the Eagle 1, but on the very next play, Butts and Hall connected for a 99-yard scoring strike to cut the lead just 18 seconds later. An attempted fake on the extra-point try failed to gain traction as the score remained 7-6 with 6:29 remaining in the period.

From there, the first half was all St. Patrick, who scored 42 unanswered points, taking a 35-6 lead after the opening period, adding two more scores in the second to take a 49-6 at the half.

With the clock running without stopping for most of the second half, the Eagles were able to get back on the board, driving 58 yards in seven plays, aided by an Irish penalty. Hall led the charge with 32 yards on four carries, capped by a 4-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 49-12 with 42.5 seconds remaining in the third period.

The Snook defense forced a three-and-out on St. Patrick’s next possession and got the ball back in good field position after the ensuing kick attempt sailed over the head of the Irish punter.

Butts then connected with Corbin and senior Chase Boehm before running it in himself from the 4-yard line. Corbin then ran for the 2-point conversion to cut the lead to 49-20 with 7:05 remaining in the fourth.

Corbin then recovered an onside kick at midfield and Snook drove down to the St. Patrick 28, but could get no closer as the next three plays lost yardage, including a backward pass that was fumbled away and the Irish ran out the clock.

Butts led the way for the Eagles with 8 of 16 passing with two interceptions for 140 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown finishing with 30 yards on 14 carries. Corbin caught four passes for 110 yards, adding a rushing touchdown with 26 yards on six carries.

The Irish did not throw a single pass in the contest racking up 319 yards on 37 carries, led by quarterback Kaleb Chatman with 143 yards on nine carries and Jameson Thriffiley with 72 yards on five carries.

Now 0-5, 0-2 in AISA Class A Region 2 play, the Eagles return to their regular home-base, Summerdale Middle School, Friday night against Class AA foe Wilcox Academy (2-3, 1-1).