Homecoming, Senior Night and a packed house. For most athletes that equals a heightened sense of awareness. The Friars entered the homecoming game vs St. John the Baptist with a level of play that would allow for more awareness and come away with a 34-13 win, boosting their overall record to 5-3 record. Performances by Senior Captain Gary Merrill and Sophomore Xavier Bala would be two key components for the winning night.
The evening would open with SJB entering the stadium after the Friars’ grand entrance and casting a feeling of their dominance on the Friar’s home turf with a full moon looming and the crowd waiting. With that message being cast the Friars wasted no time opening the game on its first down with a 45 yard run by Merrill and ended the drive with a six yard run by Bala to pin 7 to the board. The answer by SJB to SA’s strong opening series was a loss of yards, incomplete passes and knock-downs. Back to the Friar’s possession and with 8:39 on the clock, QB Merril takes it in with a 43 yard run up the middle and breaks to the outside to complete the score. Now 14-0 the Cougars would not be able to respond and ended the first quarter scoreless.
The second quarter opened with the ball on the Friar 20 yard line and SA’s suffering a tackle for a loss on the second play and ending the drive short of spectacular, compared to an outstanding crowd-roaring first quarter adventure. The Cougars pushed back with a long drive that allowed the Friar’s defensive skills to be on display once again, leaving St. John the Baptist short of the endzone. Key tackles by Junior Daniel Garcia, Seniors Andrew Thompson, Captain Julian Coscia (6 tackles), and Nicholas Harding would establish our strength. John Drew (3 tackles) would cause a fumble to be recovered by Senior Michael Reilly. The clock rolled down and was reading 4:00 minutes when Merrill had a 47 yard run up the left side into the endzone pushing St. Anthony’s to a 21-0 lead. The second quarter highlights did not stop with a touchdown as Garcia made one of three sacks for the night and Sr. Micheal Kelton (3 tackles) had an interception at the Friars’ 28-yard line to leave SJB scoreless at the end of the first half.
Opening the third quarter, SJB received the ball on their 33 yard line and quarterback Bowers found his footing with two strong runs, and moved the ball four series to finally take the ball 3 yards for a touchdown (21-7). Six minutes remained on the clock and emotions started to rule the game with players getting chippy, with personal fouls and offsetting penalties. At 4:27 the official called for the game to be stopped. The official collected the current field players in for a huddle with conviction– including team coaches in the conversation. With clear body language, a message of, you are all out of line, and enough is enough, was clear to see.
With the ball back in the Friar’s possession in the third quarter on their 22 yard line, Merrill sends the ball to Sr. Jason Taylor at the top pilon corner only to have it disrupted by SJB and pass interference called in our favor. Now first and 10 on the 11 yard line with 4:19 on the clock Bala carries to inside the 5 yard line. On the next play, Bala would see a wide open lane made by the offensive line upping the score to 27-7. It was Bala’s second touchdown of the night; he would finish the night with 14 attempts and 109 yards. SJB started its march down the field, and in a clear straight line Garcia wrapped up Bower for another sack and Drew got the assist.
With homecoming 12 minutes away from closing out, the Friars continued to carry the ball as the offensive line of Ryan McNautan, Jack Groeneveld, Captain Billy Dowling, Dempsy Burke, and Bryce Ciancuielli, continued to create opportunities for Bala and Merrill. Bala took the ball to the 2 yard line with an extra push from Jax Prokop. Merrill kept it, raising the score to 34-7. Baptists continued to move the ball in the fourth quarter with the final play of the game being a 42 yard pass ending the night 34-13. The fourth quarter provided Jr quarterback Brody Richert with the remaining snaps of the game.
An intense night from beginning to end with several key moments. Merrill had 3 TDs and 197 yards. Richert and Valdini would have 5 and 16 yard attempts respectively and Nicholas Skjeveland had 5 tackles. While the offense secured 330 yards for the night. Playoffs are three weekends away so be on the lookout for dates and game times.
Photos by Friars Andrew Kiang ’26 & Kaitlyn Korzonkiewicz ’26
