St. Augustine Saints 9 Patriots 21

After a week of good preparation, the Patriots were as ready as they could be as they opened with their first Eastern League game against the visiting Saints. We preach to our players that the Eastern League is the toughest league in the County and that we need to work hard to come out as victors in any League contest. Our players stepped up to that challenge as the Patriots beat the Saints 21 - 9.

The offense started out with a game opening, time consuming drive ending with David Hensley catching a Morgan Hatch pass.

On the following drive, Marcos Gonzales scored on another long run as the Patriots went up 14-0. But the unsung hero on that play, along with the O-line, was the crushing block by by team captain Colton Ledford. Colton's block on the Saints LB was with such force, it sounded like a cannon had gone off on the field.

Defense was outstanding. The 'Blackshirts' gave up one TD against the Saints, which is only the second TD they have given up for the season, going all the way back to the Pt. Loma game. The defensive highlight was turned in by DT Frankie Bernard as he sniffed out a pass in the flat, stuck his left hand up and caught the ball (one handed) and ran away from the Saints as he returned the ball 70 yards for a TD. It was quite an athletic play.

I told the players they fought hard and that I was very proud of them. I wanted them to enjoy the win, their 1st win in the Eastern League. It is special and they will remember it for a long time.

Next week we play Mira Mesa, the cream of the crop. We have a big game coming up against the Marauders at home next week and we have to be at the top of our game to come out ahead. Next week will give everybody a good idea of where we stand as a football team.