Last year, the Pioneers actually celebrated their loss in the state finals against Trinity at Papa John Stadium. Yes, I said celebrated. They posed for pictures with some of the Trinity kids, joked around with each other and were just happy to be there. That wasn’t the case tonight as the Pioneers faced one of the private school super powers. The Pioneer boys were crushed to sobbing tears because they honestly believed they could win this game. Few people gave the Kenton County public school kids any chance whatsoever in this match-up based on the outcome of last year’s game against Trinity. But this SK team was better than last year’s and the St. Xavier team was not as good as Trinity last year. SK was right there but just couldn’t get the last button fastened on the Underdog cape. As the Pioneers were driving for the tying score, I started thinking about the movie Hoosiers; OK wrong sport but the upset would have been as legendary as nobody embarks on the Trinity or X domination territory, especially from a public school from Northern Kentucky.
St. Xavier jumped out to a 34-7 lead and it was looking like last year all over again. But I can tell you standing on the sideline that Coach Marksberry and his boys were not quitting. They were picking each other up, getting on each other and doing everything they could to encourage each other to get back in the game.
Chat circulated the internet boards that the SK kids would fatigue and tire because so many of them played both sides of the ball while the X kids only played either offense or defense. However, there is no doubt in my mind that the SK kids were better conditioned because as the game wore on, they continued to outplay the mighty Tiggers.
Miles Simpson went down in the third quarter with an ankle sprain after a nice run in front of the X sideline. The best player in the Commonwealth would not return to action. Not the way Miles, his family, the team, school or community wanted to see his SK career end. Miles’ best runs have always been after he punished the opposition’s defense enough that they wore down in the second half. Too bad that he didn’t get to show the Louisville contingent what he can do late in a game. I know a whole lot of folks in blue would have liked to have seen the ball in number 30’s hands on that last drive.
With Miles not available, Chad Lawrence went to the air big time. Big catch after big catch to several different receivers and pulled the Pioneers close. Lawrence would take 80+ snaps in the game; Wow!
Defense started hitting like they can once they got mad enough. X got two scores in the second half. One score was after an absolutely horrific pass interference call gave X a first and goal from the two and one on a fluke play at the end of the game when SK crowded the box trying to force X to punt.
A congratulations is really is hard to offer up after such a tough defeat. I know I feel bad for the kids, coaches and parents but I will say though that clearly SK played with more heart, intensity and CLASS than X did. Too bad the scoreboard didn’t show that but that’s why it is a game.
I just read what Jamie Stark posted below and he pretty much nailed it. We decided he would write some stats stuff like he has done the last couple of weeks but right now, it doesn’t seem all that important. To this group of seniors; you have been an awesome group for this community to support over the years. You have set a high standard for SK football that we all hope can continue. The 1,000’s of fans packed into the visitors stands thank you. Good job men.
More pics later...
Kaiser goes for a flight trying to block a punt. The boys gave it all they had.
Nobody thought the scoreboard would look like this. A momentary celebration after the onsides kick was recovered.
Coach addressing his troops following the game.
The two smallest on the sidelines but biggest supporters watch after the clock runs out.
