Ste. Genevieve’s season came to a close on Friday, November 6th, but they didn’t go quietly. The Dragons fought valiantly, but ultimately, it was the high powered offense of the Kennett Indians that took home the victory by the score of 47-29.
The Dragons came out to a fiery start in the first quarter, scoring back-to-back touchdowns. The first came on a 25-yard pass from Quarterback Aiden Boyer, connecting with Zach Boyer. Austin McBride punched in the two-point conversion for a quick 8-0 lead. Just after that, A. Boyer launched a 40-yard pass caught by Payton Matthews to score again. This time, Bryant Schwent added the extra-point, making it a 15-0 lead.
However, still in the first quarter, the Indians countered with two touchdowns of their own, both on short run plays. The first extra point was good, but the second missed, cutting the Dragons lead to two, with a first quarter score of 15-13.
The second quarter was all Indians, scoring two more touchdowns and two successful extra points. At halftime, the Dragons found themselves trailing 27-15.
In the second half, Kennett brought more of the same, scoring two more touchdowns. The first extra point was good, but the second missed, making the score 40-15 with only one quarter left.
In the fourth quarter, the Dragons rallied, scoring on a 19-yard pass form A. Boyer to Z. Boyer. Schwent nailed the extra point, which made it a 40-22 game.
Ste. Gen followed that up with another touchdown. This time it was an incredible 99-yard pass from A. Boyer to Matthews. “When the ball was flying through the air I was just thinking that I needed to win this jump ball. When I came down with it and looked up, I saw the open field, and I knew it would be a play I would remember forever,” said Matthews. He added, “I didn’t think that it would be a play that would go in the record books, until the coaches came up to me after the game and told me about it.” After the touchdown, Schwent again put it through the uprights, closing the gap to 40-29.
Kennett, however, had an answer, scoring one final time on another short yardage run play. The kick was good, which put the game out of reach at 47-29. Ste. Gen, unable to mount a comeback, watched as time expired on their final game of the season.
Ste. Gen primarily moved the ball through the air, as A. Boyer threw 48 passes and completed 24, for 385 yards, and four touchdowns. Z. Boyer was the main receiver, collecting 206 yards, and two touchdowns, on 12 receptions. Matthews had seven receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns as well. Brett Bieser also caught four passes for 31 yards.
The Dragons struggled to move the ball on the ground. McBride was the lead ball carrier, picking up 23 yards on 12 run plays.
Defensively, Kaden Buatte had six tackles, which led the team. Jacob Johns had five tackles. Thomas O’Brien, Dale Propst and Anthony Nash all had four apiece.
The Dragons ended the season with a 4-5 record, but have a lot of exciting pieces still in place. They should be a formidable force once again next season.
