Warriors Slow Down Lions' Offense In GAC North Win

wanted to make a statement with the opening drive Friday night against .

Knowing that Zuwmalt East thumped the Warriors 53-20 last season and that the Lions had scored 50 points in Week 1, St. Charles West head coach Gary Strauss wanted to set the tone with the first drive of the game. After winning the coin toss, the Warriors elected to receive in hopes of building an early lead.

With a little help from some flag-happy officials, the Warriors did just that. St. Charles West (2-0, 2-0) marched down the field in three-and-a-half minutes and scored the opening touchdown. The score gave the Warriors the early lead and helped them knock off the Lions 28-19 to remain undefeated on the young season.

“I thought we came out and played probably one of the most physical games we have played in a while,” Strauss said. “Last year, they came out and hit us in the mouth and we never had an answer for it. Our guys came out and had a chip on their shoulders a little bit. They prepared mentally and came ready to play.”

The Warriors took the opening drive down the field with a mix of passing, running and flags. A key fourth down went the Warriors way after the first, of what would turn out to be many, pass interference call in the game.

The flag on the Lions set up St. Charles West deep in Zumwalt East territory. Ahren Bohanan scampered untouched into the end zone from 12 yards out to take a 6-0 lead. The Warriors failed to make it 7-0 after a blocked extra point.

“We wanted to take the ball because we figured they were going to score some points,” Strauss said. “Their offense scored 50 points last week in three quarters so we figured we were going to have to score points. We figured, let’s go ahead and try and get a lead on them and see if we could make them play catch-up most of the night.”

Late in the first quarter the Lions (1-1, 1-1) answered back. Starting a drive with 3:06 left to go in the quarter, Zumwalt East put together a 65-yard drive in less than three minutes to take the lead.

After several big plays to get down the field, Christian Brooks reached the endzone with a 4-yard run. A successful extra point put the Lions up 7-6 after one quarter of play.

Bohanan and the Warriors regained the lead on the next St. Charles West drive. A big run Austin Rugraff put Bohanan in position to score his second touchdown of the game. The St. Charles West senior and team captain scored from four yards out and, after a converted two-point attempt, the Warriors were on top 14-13.

The Lions closed out the first half strong, but failed to even the score.

After a stalled drive at midfield with just under five minutes remaining in the half, Zumwalt East was forced to punt. The Lions boomed a punt, but the Warriors' return man had trouble with the lights and muffed the punt. Zumwalt East swarmed on the ball and regained possession at the St. Charles West 30-yard line.

After a few stalled plays, Brandon Barrett dropped back and fired a strike to corner of the endzone. Mike Mahoney was smothered by a Warriors' defensive back, but managed to jump for the ball, haul in the catch and scamper into the end zone for a score with just 21.8 seconds left on the clock.

Zumwalt East converted the point after to tie the score at 14-all, but a flag on the play forced the Lions to re-kick. The second time wasn't a charm—the boot sailed left at St. Charles West was able to head into the locker room up one, 14-13.

The Warriors extended its lead early in the third quarter. Quarterback Kyle Anders found an absolutely wide open Auggie Loschen for a 21-yard score. Loschen found himself without a Lion anywhere near him and hauled in the pass for an easy score. The Warriors then led 21-13.

Barrett and Mahoney were able to quickly react and keep the Lions in the game. With 5:37 on the clock and on the second play of the drive after the Warriors’ score, Barrett hit Mahoney for an 81-yard touchdown pass. 

Mahoney lined up wide to Barrett’s right and raced down the sideline for the score. A failed two-point attempt made the score 21-19.

St. Charles West would put the Lions away with a strong fourth quarter. The Warriors opened with a quick score—a 60-yard run by Rugraff. The sophomore finished the game with 151 yards on 11 carries. Rugraff’s long run gave St. Charles West a 28-19 lead.

Fort Zumwalt East failed to score and gave the ball back to St. Charles West with 8:19 left in the game. A booming punt by Barrett, with help from a generous roll, pinned the Warriors just five yards from its own endzone.

The Warriors then embarked on the most significant non-scoring drive of the game. After a pass interference call on a third and seven stop gave the Warriors life—and gave the team breathing room away from the endzone—St. Charles West started pounding the ball. Running out the clock—literally—the Warriors attacked the Lions and the clock.

While the Warriors failed to score, St. Charles West did run a significant amount of time off the clock. Trailing by two scores, Fort Zumwalt East regained possession with just more than a minute left in the game.

“Let’s face it, they were two scores down, but they had a 70-plus yard play earlier,” Strauss said. “They had three 50-plus plays last week. They’re one play away and an onside kick away from being in the game. … That was a big-time drive for our offense. They knew we were going to run the ball, but we were able to get it done. I take my hat off to our offensive line.”

The Lions couldn’t do anything with the ball and the final whistle sounded with the Warriors on top 28-19.

“We just got outplayed,” Fort Zumwalt East head coach Scott Eacret said. “We just got whipped. Simple as that.”

Zumwalt East is now 1-1 on the season and 1-1 in the GAC North. Barrett finished the game 13-for-25 passing for 252 yards and two TDs. Mahoney had four catches for 123 yards and two scores. Brooks led the rushing attack with 93 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown. Zumwalt East will visit Francis Howell North next week at 7 p.m.

St. Charles West improved to 2-0 on the season and in the GAC North. Anders was 3-for-8 passing for 58 yards in the win. Loschen had two catches for 45 yards to lead the receiving corps. Rugraff finished the game with 151 yards on 11 carries.

The Warriors will again be home next week to take on GAC rival Washington at 7 p.m.