SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Fighting Irish hosted the Strafford Indians for the season opener in a game that also was the dedication to our new, beautiful multi-purpose facility. After the festivities, the Irish got right to work with a tenacious defense that led to an early forced fumble and Lincoln Jones fumble recovery. That set up a Hunter Puckett rushing score to put the Irish up 7-0 early. The defense and special teams again stepped up when Isiah Whitely, Drew Davis, and Wallace Squibb blocked an Indian punt which was recovered by Nick Crites in the endzone to make it 14-0.

The second quarter went much like the first with another Irish drive that ended in a Tyson Riley rushing score that expanded the lead to 21-0. Near the end of the half, a Hunter Brown pick-6 made it 28-0 at halftime.

In the third, Isaiah Whitely tacked on another rushing score to make it 35-0 at the end of three. After the Irish got the clock, Jacob Strauss added yet another rushing score to go up 42-0. The defense was not done yet though, as Sam Schoemaker got an INT and nice run back to end any of Strafford hopes to get on the board.

Week two provides another round of stiff tests for both teams. Catholic (1-0) hosts Mount Vernon, while Strafford (0-1) heads to Mountain Grove.

First quarter scoring
Catholic Hunter Puckett 9-yd TD run 7 – 0 (Logan Brock kick)
Catholic Nick Crites 1-yd blocked punt recovery TD 14 – 0 (Logan Brock kick)
Second quarter scoring
Catholic Tyson Riley 2-yd TD run 21 – 0 (Logan Brock kick)
Catholic Hunter Puckett 26-yd interception return TD 28- 0 (Logan Brock kick)
Third quarter scoring
Catholic Isaiah Whiteley 4-yd TD run 35- 0 (2pt conversion failed)
Fourth quarter scoring
Catholic Jacob Straus 20-yd TD run 42 – 0 (PAT missed)