Catholic 45, Beech 28: 5 Things from the Class 5A BlueCross Bowl
COOKESVILLE – It hit Jack Sompayrac after the team prayer. The senior quarterback always leads the “our lady of victory” cheer after Catholic’s team prayer and this was his last one. He was glad it came after a win, especially after a state title. Catholic won its second state championship in three years with a 45-28 win over Beech in Thursday’s 5A BlueCross Bowl. The seniors had a moment before the game. They came together and said they wanted to take advantage of their final game together.Coach Steve Matthews appreciates a leadership group he can rely on. The seniors had their moment and came out fired up, the feeling spread to the rest of the team.
Quick start
Catholic carried that intensity into the start of the game. The Irish scored first, opening the game with a 10-drive, 79-play drive capped with a 16-yard pass from Jack Sompayrac to Dashon Bussell. “That was the key to the game,” Matthews said, “getting off to that quick start.” Paxton Robertson hit a 23-yard field goal late in the quarter. Catholic started that drive on their own 1-yard-line after Beech’s coverage team pinned it. They got to the Beech 3, but couldn’t get in. Joshua Brown, who picked up a 47-yard rush in the first quarter, dove over the pile for a one-yard score early in the second. The Irish had 17 points before Beech even got on the board.
Signed, sealed, delivered
Stiles Moore all but sealed the game late in the third quarter. Larry Liverman tore the ball loose; Moore scooped it up at the 33-yard line and returned it to the end zone. The Fighting Irish led throughout the game, but that play put it out of reach. Catholic took a three-score lead and the game didn’t get closer than that again.
Big rushers
The run game had a big showing for Catholic. No one reached 100, but three rushers were over 50 yards as the Irish totaled 237 on the ground, 170 of which came in the first half. Sompayrac ran for two touchdowns and 50 yards. Joe Fluker had 81 yards. Brown led the Irish with 99 yards and a single touchdown. Dashon Bussell, a natural wide receiver who frequently rushes for the Irish, didn’t have a single carry.
Dunlap stifled
Catholic stifled Beech’s biggest impact player Kaemon Dunlap came into the game averaging 168.9 yards per game with 33 touchdowns on the season. The Irish held him to 109 yards and a single touchdown, which is a season low for the Mr. Football finalist while playing four quarters.