STERLING, Kan. — Sterling mounted a late rally with 20 points in the fourth quarter, but fell short as Saint Mary secured a 34-27 victory on Saturday, Nov. 1. Despite the loss, Sterling’s offense showed resilience, with a notable 53-yard pass play contributing to their scoring efforts. USM held the lead throughout most of the contest, scoring 20 points in the second quarter to establish a significant advantage.
The game began with Sterling receiving the kickoff, and Charles Jones returning it 22 yards to the 33-yard line. Sterling’s opening drive was short-lived as Rocklin Baptista‘s pass was intercepted by Degeorge Hudson, halting momentum and giving possession to USM at their own 28-yard line.
Saint Mary capitalized on the turnover, driving 72 yards in seven plays, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by Kameron Smith. The successful extra point gave the Spires an early lead.
Sterling responded with a methodical 82-yard drive, highlighted by significant contributions from Samuel LeBlue and Patrick Clarkson, and capped by Baptista’s 15-yard touchdown run. Emmanuel Roman‘s extra point tied the game. As the quarter ended, the score was knotted at 7-7, with Sterling having successfully answered Saint Mary’s early score.
Sterling started the second quarter facing a Saint Mary drive deep in their territory. Saint Mary capitalized on this position, completing a 22-yard touchdown pass to Michael Gazzana and extending their lead with a successful extra point. Sterling’s subsequent drive was halted by a sack on Baptista, resulting in a punt. The home team struggled to gain momentum after Saint Mary’s defensive pressure.
Midway through the quarter, Sterling’s defense made a crucial stop with Sean Watson blocking a 34-yard field goal attempt by Bryce Godfrey. However, Saint Mary maintained control with a subsequent scoring drive, culminating in a 6-yard touchdown rush by Kameron Smith. Sterling attempted to respond late in the quarter with Baptista connecting with Armando Juarez and Will Stokes for modest gains, but the drive stalled. As the half concluded, Sterling trailed Saint Mary, with a scoreboard reading 27-7.
Sterling began the third quarter with a promising kickoff by Roman, pinning the University of Saint Mary at their 15-yard line. The defense held firm, forcing a short punt that set Sterling up at the Saint Mary 41-yard line. Despite advancing to the Saint Mary 18 with a 22-yard pass from Baptista to LeBlue, the drive stalled, and the Spires regained possession.
Saint Mary mounted a steady drive into Sterling territory but was ultimately halted at the Sterling 12-yard line following a penalty and an incomplete pass. Sterling took over with just over three minutes left, benefiting from a defensive penalty that advanced them to their own 42-yard line. The quarter ended with Sterling moving into Saint Mary territory but unable to capitalize further, keeping the score unchanged as the clock wound down.
The fourth quarter began with Sterling benefiting from a Saint Mary penalty, allowing Baptista to capitalize with a 5-yard touchdown run. Roman’s successful extra point reduced Sterling’s deficit. Following a defensive stop, Sterling’s Jeremyah Raguin orchestrated a drive that included multiple completions, though an interception was negated by a defensive penalty, leading to another Sterling touchdown by Baptista. The extra point attempt was missed, keeping the score tight.
Saint Mary quickly responded with a 40-yard touchdown run by Teralle Watson, extending their lead after a successful extra point. Despite a significant 53-yard completion from Baptista to Stokes, a subsequent interception halted Sterling’s momentum. However, a fumble recovery by Ryan Morgan set up Sterling’s final possession. Baptista then connected with Jayeden Easley for a key completion, leading to a 1-yard touchdown rush by Baptista.
The Warriors then set themselves up with a successful onside kick to prepare for a game-tying drive. However, Saint Mary used their third and final timeout to challenge the ruling on the field, and although the call was upheld an offside penalty was assessed based off the replay forcing Sterling to attempt the onside kick again. The Spires recovered the second onside kick.
Sterling defense remained resilient putting the Spires in a third and long situation with the play clock running down, Saint Mary called what seemed to be their fourth timeout of the game and came out of the timeout with a well executed play to gain the first down. The game concluded with Sterling unable to recover and ending in a final score of Saint Mary 34, Sterling 27.
Baptista completed 12 of 27 passes for 171 yards, adding three rushing touchdowns on 15 carries. Juarez contributed with five receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Blake Montgomery came away with 8 tackles followed by Derek Bean led with seven total tackles, while Ryan Morgan recovered a fumble and added three tackles.
Up next, Sterling (1-8, 0-3) will take on o. 4 ranked Friends University (9-0, 3-0).
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