By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
After slow starts and early deficits created far too much unnecessary angst over the first month of the season for McQuaid’s football, head coach Bobby Bates said the focus this week was on starting fast.
“We’ve been in a few games where we’re getting behind the eight-ball early on and having to crawl our way out,” Bates said.
So what happens on Friday night, when McQuaid and Aquinas met in the 60th anniversary showdown of this storied rivalry between cross-town Catholic institutions?
Aquinas running back Derrion Battle takes the first play from scrimmage 82 yards for a touchdown and, two series later, Quante Gillians slings down McQuaid quarterback Will DiMarco in the end zone for a safety. In the blink of an eye, the host Li’l Irish led 9-0.
So much for that fast McQuaid start.
Of course, the Knights have proven time and time again already this season that little fazes them. This current edition of McQuaid football seems intent on redefining resiliency.
Despite digging the early hole, the Knights used JP Gianforti’s punt block for a touchdown and Allen Nesmith’s 68-yard touchdown burst to build a 15-9 second-quarter lead en route to a 23-9 victory and a 5-0 record.
“When you talk about this team, two words come to mind: resilient and relentless,” Bates said. “That is what is defining these guys.
“To have that identity and makeup is a credit to them.”
Gianforti provided the game-changing play when he blocked a Santino Young punt around the Aquinas 10, then pounced on the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
“To me, that’s the difference in the game,” said Nesmith, the workhorse running back who carried 26 times for 228 yards. “The block on that punt set the whole stage for the whole game.”
The Knights were intent on blocking it, too. The Li’l Irish (3-2) faced fourth-and-10 from their 21 so McQuaid brought the rush.
“We have a great special teams coach (Jeff Pettrone) and he puts together a bunch of blocks every week and we just have to execute,” Gianforti said.
Gianforti attacked from the right side, found a gap, leaped and batted the punt toward the Aquinas end zone, then gave chase with his teammates and recovered.
Suddenly that comfortable 9-0 Aquinas lead was sliced to 9-7.
“You could feel a big momentum swing,” Gianforti said.
The score didn’t change until McQuaid’s final possession of the first half. Taking over on downs at their own 32, the Knights called a run play for Nesmith off left tackle on first down.
He darted through the hole and in an instant was gone, outsprinting the defense for the 68-yard TD run.
He gave credit to those opening the holes, however.
“Our two fullbacks, (Thomas) Bailey and (Zach) Couch, they’re some of the best, and they’re very decisive,” Nesmith said. “They allow me to look good.”
Couch converted on the PAT run and McQuaid led 15-9 at the half.
The second half became a punt fest (three by Aquinas, four by McQuaid) as both defenses dominated.
Until 10 minutes remained, at which point the Li’l Irish began to pick up yards by the dozens. On first-and-10 from their own 14, quarterback Trent Buttles connected with Battle for a 38-yard gain. Then on the next play, Buttles found Thomas Levans III for a 32-yard gain down the left sideline.
Just like that, Aquinas had a first down at the McQuaid 16. But the drive stalled. On third-and-3 from the 9, Buttles ran but was swarmed under by Bailey, Couch and Jack Monsour. Then on fourth down, Couch, patrolling the middle from his linebacker position, leaped to bat down a Buttles pass.
Then it became the Nesmith ground-and-pound show. He carried six times for 51 yards as the Knights methodically marched from their own 9 to the Aquinas 12 in 10 plays before Couch burst up the middle and scored the clinching touchdown with 2:30 remaining.
Zach Couch scores from 12 yards out on first down to cap a 91-yard drive after a two-point conversion McQuaid 23-9. pic.twitter.com/Age46KOADQ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 5, 2024
Afterward, both teams met at midfield for the presentation of the John Onorato Challenge Trophy, which is given to the winner of the game.
Between the first and second quarter, 18 alums from Aquinas and McQuaid – football players from the inaugural game between the two schools in 1964 – were recognized.
“There’s a lot of people that have played in this game and they’re all watching, and it’s triggering memories they have of this great rivalry,” Bates said. “It’s a neat opportunity for our kids to play in this game and a neat opportunity for alums to reminisce.”
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