Saints shut out Hurons in UP
by Richard Lamb–Advance Editor
The St. Ignace LaSalle Saints showed the Rogers City Hurons why they are so highly ranked in Division 8. The Saints scored 47 points in the first half on the way to a 54-0 win over Rogers City.
St. Ignace scored both times it had the ball in the first quarter, the first following an eight-play 65-yard drive. The second drive, which went 69 yards in eight plays, made the score 12-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Hurons’ two possessions ended on a punt by freshman Quintin Kelly and the second after a Chris Lopez pass fell incomplete.
The home team wasted no time in the second period, scoring a touchdown and adding a two-point conversion to make it 20-0 with 9:58 left in the first half. The next Saint score was set up on a Huron turnover, a fumbled punt attempt at the Huron 29.
After a sack by sophomore linebacker Jacob Malocha for a six yard loss, a 35-yard pass play brought six more points for the Saints. They led 27-0 with 7:11 left in the first half.
Kelly tossed an interception on the second play of the ensuing Huron drive, giving the ball to the Saints at the Huron 12. Three plays later the Saints cashed in, scoring on a 13-yard screen pass and adding the kick to make it 34-0 with six minute left in the second quarter.
Lopez lost a fumble on the first play of the next Huron drive giving the Saints the ball at the Huron 12. It took them two plays to make the score 41-0 with 5:10 remaining in the second quarter.
The Hurons then drove the field on their longest possession of the game. Starting at their own 30, Coach Tim Nagy mixed up the Saints defense with a modified shotgun formation which set men in motion giving the quarterback the option of passing, handing off or running.
Senior tailback Evan Lamb picked up a first down on a nine-yard draw play. Kelly hooked up with Malocha for a 22-yard gain, the longest play from scrimmage on the day, moving the ball to the Saints’ 31. Lamb followed that with a 5-yard run and Malocha picked up two. But a sack and a fumble on fourth down stalled the best chance for a Huron score in the first half.
Eight plays later, the Saints had another score making it 47-0 at the half.
With a running clock to begin the third quarter, Rogers City punted on its first possession and then held the Saints on their first possession of the quarter as they missed on a 32-yard field goal attempt.
The Saints made it 54-0 on its next possession, following a failed fourth down attempt by the Hurons. They used six plays to cover 54 yards, scoring with 6:10 left in the game.
Rogers City (0-5) plays Hillman (2-3) in week six of the season. Hillman has made the MHSAA playoffs the past six seasons.