SAN FRANCISCO - In front of a rowdy home crowd on Saturday, the Saint Ignatius offense finally unleashed its full potential. After being held under 23 points in their first two games of the season, the Wildcat offense finally came out of its cage, dropping 37 points on Gonzaga Prep in a 37-22 victory over the visitors from Washington.
The Cats scored on their first four possessions, tiring out the Gonzaga defense and energizing the crowd.
“We expect to score every time we get the ball,” SI head coach John Regalia said following the victory. “We have a balanced offense that wants to score."
The SI offense was certainly balanced on Saturday, as the previously shaky backfield marched down the field on the reeling Bullpups defense. Senior Joe Celintano had 11 touches for 80 yards and a touchdown, while senior Matthew Silva ran the ball eight times for 32 yards. However, the SI offense still ran through senior quarterback Teddye Buchanan.
Buchanan was 10-of-11 passing for 166 yards and three touchdowns (two to senior Danny Ryan), while also adding 51 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. After missing the start against the Bullpups last season, Buchanan was excited to pull out the victory at home.
“We wanted this one” Buchanan stated after the win. “Last year’s loss to Gonzaga hurt, but we got our revenge this time”.
On the other sideline, the Bullpups may have found their new starting quarterback. After a slow start from senior Jacob Keyes put the Bullpups down 19 early, Gonzaga turned to sophomore quarterback Ryan McKenna. Thrown into the fire, McKenna ran over the Wildcat defense, running for 152 yards and a touchdown, including a 80-yard run that closed the Wildcat lead to 30-22. McKenna also energized the rushing attack for Gonzaga, as junior running back Jaden Ortega also found the end zone in the third quarter.
“Our o-line really stepped up today” McKenna said. “It felt great going out there today."
The Bullpups went on a 15-0 run to close the third quarter, silencing the crowd and energizing the offense. However, the Cats answered by driving the ball down the field, scoring on a Buchanan rushing touchdown, giving the Cats a comfortable 37-22 lead, secured by a Devin Enid interception late in the fourth.
The Wildcats are off next week, and will play their next game against Sacred Heart Cathedral in the Bruce Mahoney Game on Friday, Sep. 27. As for the Bullpups, Gonzaga Prep will return home to Spokane to face off against the University Titans on Friday, Sep. 20.
