Dragons win battle of explosive offenses

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

CREVE COEUR, Mo. — Two football teams with prolific spread passing attacks combined on Saturday afternoon to produce statistics which are normally reserved for video games.

Ste. Genevieve tallied 202 rushing yards as a team along with 372 passing from senior quarterback Kory Faulkner, and outlasted upstart Westminster, 48-35 in a contest that needed more than three hours to reach completion.

The teams combined for 41 first downs and more than 1,100 yards of total offense, which could stand as the third-highest amount for a single game in Missouri football history pending official certification.

Faulkner completed 21-of-30 throws for three scores, and ran for another score while finding eight different receivers on the day. Dustin Noll caught seven balls for 176 yards and capped two other Ste. Genevieve drives with 1-yard runs to finish with four total touchdowns.

The Dragons also received a breakout rushing performance from backup tailback Tom Bach, who netted 111 yards on nine carries after starter Kory Huck left the action during the first quarter.

Westminster found much of its success with a methodical mixture of slant passes and sideline routes, as quarterback Zack Dorton finished an impressive 33-of-47 overall for 429 yards and four touchdowns in defeat.

His leading target was junior Alex Cacciarelli with 13 receptions for 182 yards and three scores. John Bergman added 11 catches for 154 yards, including a leaping 25-yard TD grab in the fourth quarter.

Officials enforced 20 penalties to further prolong the action, not counting several others which were declined. Ste. Genevieve (6-1) had a touchdown pass and lengthy interception return nullified on pass interference calls, while Westminster (1-6) was guilty of three personal fouls.

A 44-yard pass from Faulkner to Noll on the initial snap from scrimmage helped the Dragons score quickly with a five-play possession. Dorton answered with a 22-yard crossing strike to Cacciarelli, giving the Wildcats their lone lead at 7-6.

Ste. Genevieve seized control with 22 straight points before intermission. Noll broke a tackle in single coverage to put the Dragons ahead on a 65-yard pass from Faulkner, and Huck caught a two-point conversion toss.

Travis Martin and Michael Rhodes sacked Dorton on a short fourth down in Ste. Genevieve territory, and the Wildcats punted away their third possession to keep momentum on the Dragons’ side.

Faulkner increased the margin with a 7-yard keeper midway through the second quarter, then engineered a nine-play march to close the half. A 14-yard pass to Cody Schmelzle set up a short dive by Noll that made it 28-7.

Westminster covered 60 yards in 10 plays to open the third quarter, then used two consecutive big plays to draw within 28-21. Dorton connected with Bergman over the middle for a 51-yard gain before Cacciarelli hauled in a 33-yard fade down the right sideline.

The Dragons countered with a series of pivotal plays to restore command. Faulkner escaped the pocket and lobbed a perfect scrambling throw into Noll   from 22 yards out after Bach sparked the possession with a 30-yard run.

After Brock Meyer stepped in front of a Dorton pass for a key endzone interception, Bach caught a pass from Faulkner out of the backfield and tiptoed the sideline for a 56-yard scoring strike and a 42-21 advantage.

Several Dragons missed significant snaps with minor injuries throughout the action, just days before district action begins at Central on Friday night. Key wide receiver and cornerback Josh Meyer sprained an ankle during an early kickoff and did not return.

Huck added a 17-yard scoring run in his return to the lineup with 2:17 left for a 48-28 margin. Jeremy Vaeth highlighted a busy Ste. Genevieve defense with nine tackles, and Noll made eight stops.

Andrew Goebel ended with 60 yards plus a touchdown on the ground, and defensive lineman Mike Kruse made three tackles for loss to lead the Wildcats.

Ste. Genevieve  14  14   6  14 - 48

Westminster   7   0  14  14 - 35

First quarter:

SGHS (6-0) - Noll 1-yard run (Kick blocked), 10:38

WCA (7-6) - Cacciarelli 22-yard pass from Dorton (Kehr kick), 7:59

SGHS (14-7) - Noll 65-yard pass from Faulkner (Huck run), 7:08

Second quarter:

SGHS (21-7) - Faulkner 7-yard run (Noll kick), 6:19

SGHS (28-7) - Noll 1-yard run (Noll kick), 0:58

Third quarter:

WCA (28-14) - Cacciarelli 4-yard pass from Dorton (Kehr kick), 9:23

WCA (28-21) - Cacciarelli 33-yard pass from Dorton (Kehr kick), 7:29

SGHS (34-21) - Noll 22-yard pass from Faulkner (Kick missed), 6:03

Fourth quarter:

SGHS (42-21) - Bach 56-yard pass from Faulkner (Arnold reception), 11:08

WCA (42-28) - Bergman 25-yard pass from Dorton (Kehr kick), 8:48

SGHS (48-28) - Huck 17-yard run (Kick missed), 2:17

WCA (48-35) - Goebel 1-yard run (Kehr kick), 0:58