Private School recap: Week 1 featured a couple of blowouts and a couple of surprises. Two games featured matchups between four playoff teams.
Game of the Week
Trinity Episcopal 36 North Cross 28
Trinity Episcopal opened its season with a 36-28 road win over North Cross. The Titans led 36-7 in the 3rd quarter, then held on for the win. Rivals 4-star and Penn State commit Davion Brown had two rushing touchdowns for the Titans.
Receiver Deuce Mason finished with seven receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns. His 47-yard touchdown reception just before the half gave Trinity Episcopal a 29-7 lead going into halftime.
North Cross scored three touchdowns in the 4th quarter to make the score respectable. Two interceptions gave the Raiders a chance to come back. A pick by Jesiah Hines set up a Tristan Lange touchdown, and a pick by James Madison Jase Rhodes set up a touchdown pass from Lange to Rhodes. Lange added a late touchdown run that made the score 36-28. However, Trinity Episcopal recovered the onside kick and ran out the final two minutes.
Benedictine 38 St Michael’s 0
In a rematch of the VISAA D1 State championship game, Benedictine defeated St Michael 38-0. Quarterback Luke Kincaid completed 12 of 23 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Fred Dolan had 109 yards on 14 carries, and tight end Sam Faniel had 52 yards on four receptions. Coastal Carolina commit Jojo Johnson had two touchdowns called back. Benedictine is going for its 3rd straight VISAA State championship.
St Christopher’s 21 Huguenot 6
You can read Danny Lewis’ article on the game here. Saints Deliver 21-6 Loss To Huguenot – On3
This was one of the games I missed during my weekly picks. I knew St. Christopher’s had a great defense, but I was surprised they shut down the Falcons’ potent offense. Rivals 4-star lineman Darius Gray might be the best football player in Virginia, playing both sides of the football. He had nine tackles and scored on a rushing touchdown.
Collegiate 27 Albermarle 0
The Cougars had three rushing touchdowns from 35, 20, and 18 yards out. Quarterback Sam Settar was 8 of 13 passing, 85 yards, and a touchdown while also rushing for 52 yards and a score. Noah McDaniel had two rushing touchdowns. The Collegiate defense pitched a shutout, including picks by Milton Arendale and Tate Quinby.
Atlantic Shores 48 Roanoke Catholic 16
Atlantic Shores Christian evened their record to 1-1 with a 48-16 road win over Roanoke Catholic. Junior Micah Lance completed 15 of 20 passes for 187 yards and four touchdown passes. Sophomore Ben Sallee turned two of his three catches into scores. Junior John Colebank added 61 yards and two touchdowns and also led the defense with 12 tackles.
St. Anne’s-Belfield 35 Fredericksburg Christian 14
STAB won their season opener with a convincing win over Fredericksburg Christian. Junior Jonah Brent was one of the top performers, scoring four touchdowns while rushing for 245 yards on 16 carries. Brent has an offer from Georgetown. Nafeese Summers had two picks for the Saints
Fork Union 26 Catholic 21
Junior Nehemiah Allen (5-7, 165) had a 77-yard touchdown run and a 75-yard touchdown run on his way to 212 yards rushing for Fork Union. Tight end Justin Canty had a touchdown reception and finished with two catches for 44 yards.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy defeated Isle of Wight 46-0, scoring all their points in the 1st half. Quarterback Madden Gilliat completed four passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns while adding six carries for 34 yards and two touchdowns. Cornerback Nico Blackmer had a pick-six. The Saints rested their starters in the 2nd half. It was the 1st win for Head Coach Robbie Duncan.
Other Games
Pope John Paul the Great Catholic defeated the Covenant School 6-0. It was the 1st game back at 11-man football for the Covenant School.
The Potomac School won their season opener, defeating St John’s Catholic 28-12. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes defeated John Carroll School 49-28.
