In a game that lived up to its billing, the St. Martin Saints (4-1) saw their four-game winning streak come to an end as the Pope John Paul II Jaguars (5-0) maintained their perfect record with a 28-21 victory on Friday night. The contest, held under the bright lights of St. Martin’s home field, was a thrilling matchup that showcased high-octane plays, crucial defensive stops, and standout individual performances on both sides.
First Quarter: St. Martin Strikes First
The Saints came out firing on all cylinders in the opening quarter, making a strong statement with their first possession. Senior running back Harlem Berry, the nation’s top-ranked running back and an LSU commit, broke free for a touchdown run. Berry’s trademark speed and vision were on full display as he sliced through the Jaguars’ defense to put St. Martin ahead 7-0 early. Pope John Paul II had an opportunity to respond but missed a crucial field goal that could have put them on the board. The Jaguars struggled to find their rhythm offensively, allowing the Saints to take the early lead into the second quarter.
Second Quarter: Jaguars Fight Back
The second quarter proved to be pivotal for Pope John Paul II, who found their groove offensively. Junior running back Josh Greenwood electrified the crowd with a diving touchdown that capped off an impressive drive, tying the game at 7-7. Greenwood’s effort was a highlight-worthy moment as he soared through the air and stretched the ball just past the goal line.
Shortly afterward, the Jaguars took advantage of a critical turnover when sophomore linebacker Joseph Sprinkle made a game-changing interception. With St. Martin driving and looking to regain control of the game, Sprinkle stepped in front of a pass and set up the Jaguars with excellent field position. On the ensuing possession, senior tight end Andrew Hoff made one of his several key receptions, hauling in a 20-yard pass that put Pope John Paul II deep in Saints’ territory. The drive culminated in another touchdown, giving the Jaguars a 14-7 lead.
Despite the Jaguars’ surge, St. Martin showed resilience as they answered back with another score of their own before halftime. Senior athlete Ashton Oliver, who had several clutch plays throughout the game, set up the drive with a big reception. The Saints marched down the field knotting the score at 14-14 before going into the break. The Jaguars’ missed a field goal as time expired to end the half.
Third Quarter: Jaguars Take the Lead
The third quarter was all Pope John Paul II, as they seized control of the game. The Jaguars’ defense, led by senior defensive end Dereyon “DJ” Jenkins, a Gridiron Football All-American, clamped down on St. Martin’s high-powered offense. Jenkins, who will be playing in the 2024 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game on December 30th, was a disruptive force throughout the night, applying constant pressure on St. Martin’s quarterback and making key tackles in the backfield.
On offense, the Jaguars leaned on their junior wide receiver Everett Gibbs, who made several electrifying plays, including plays that put the Jaguars in prime scoring position. Greenwood capped off the drive with another touchdown, giving Pope John Paul II a 21-14 lead heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter: A Nail-Biting Finish
The fourth quarter saw both teams exchange blows as the game reached its climax. St. Martin fought back valiantly, with Oliver making another crucial play to move the Saints into scoring range. Berry’s performance solidified his status as the top running back in the country, once again proving why LSU eagerly awaits his arrival.
However, the Jaguars were not finished. On their next possession, Hoff came up big once more with a 25-yard reception to move the chains. A few plays later, Greenwood broke loose for a 15-yard gain that set up the Jaguars deep in Saints’ territory. With just minutes remaining, Pope John Paul II punched in the game-winning touchdown, with the lead at 28-21.
St. Martin had one last opportunity to tie the game, but the Jaguars’ defense, anchored by Jenkins and Sprinkle, held firm.
Key Performances:
- Pope John Paul II Jaguars:
- Josh Greenwood (JR, RB): The junior running back had an impressive night, including a diving touchdown in the second quarter that helped swing momentum in the Jaguars’ favor.
- Dereyon “DJ” Jenkins (SR, DE): The Gridiron Football All-American showcased why he’s one of the top defensive ends in the nation, dominating the line of scrimmage and making key plays throughout the game.
- Andrew Hoff (SR, TE): Hoff came up clutch with multiple big catches, helping sustain key drives for the Jaguars, including the game-winner.
- Everett Gibbs (JR, WR): Gibbs was electrifying, with several explosive plays that ignited the Jaguars’ offense.
- Joseph Sprinkle (SO, LB): Sprinkle’s second-quarter interception was a game-changing play that set up a crucial Jaguars’ touchdown.
- St. Martin Saints:
- Harlem Berry (SR, RB): The LSU commit and #1-ranked running back in the nation lived up to his billing.
- Ashton Oliver (SR, ATH): Oliver was a key playmaker for the Saints, making several crucial plays and setting up scoring opportunities.
- Daniel Fink (SR, OL): Fink helped pave the way for Berry’s big night with his strong play on the offensive line.
Looking Ahead:
St. Martin will look to bounce back from this tough loss when they face Riverside Academy on October 11th, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Pope John Paul II will aim to stay undefeated when they take on St. Thomas Aquinas on the same night, also at 7 p.m.
This game was a battle between two strong teams, but Pope John Paul II’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and make big plays when it counted most ultimately made the difference.
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