The Terry Fox Ravens have appeared to turn a corner. The team that had lost multiple close games early on in the season has bounced back with three straight wins. The most recent of those victories was a 36-28 victory over the St. Thomas More Knights.
After both teams exchanged touchdowns in the first quarter, Terry Fox dominated the second frame. The Ravens completely shut down the Knights' option attack and didn't allow a point the rest of the half.
Off of those stops, the Ravens blocked not one but two punts to set up their offense with excellent field position. Chase Foston was one of the Ravens who flew through the Knights's front line to get his hand on the ball.
The Raven's offense rewarded their special teams unit by capping off both opportunities for scoring majors. The Raven's special teams unit had completely changed the outlook of the game and took a 22-7 lead into halftime.
Despite having nothing gone their way after the first quarter, the Knights refused to go away and came back fighting. They scored on their opening possession, going to their bread-and-butter play on a 45-yard triple-option run by grade 10 pivot Patricio Cuesta Leon.
Ravens quarterback Zac Golab drove his team downfield using both his legs and his arm. Gollab found Lachlen Bruce for one of his two touchdown receptions on the day to go back up two scores.
Nico Pallares responded for the Knights on an explosive 40-yard run to put STM back within eight. With the ball back, it was time for Golab and the Ravens offense to shine again.
Golab, who finished the day with 15 completions on 17 attempts for 194 yards and three touchdowns, led the Ravens downfield once again, finding the endzone to put his team back up by 15.
Nico Pallares responded for the Knights once again. The quarterback put his team on his back, running over the Ravens' defenders to get the Knights downfield. Cuesta Leon would finish the drive off by pulling the ball on another option run from 25 yards out to put the Knights back within eight once again.
The Knights' defense came up when it mattered most and forced Terry Fox to punt the ball with 1:35 left in the game. With a chance to tie, the Knights were on the move.
Cuesta Leon led the Knights down the field from deep in their own territory with a few nice passing plays. Inside Terry Fox's 30-yard line with under 30 seconds to go, Tristan Jupp jumped in front of a Knights pass. Jupp came down with the ball, and the comeback bid was ended. The Ravens held on for a 36-28 win.
Knights Head Coach Jared Power loved his team's never-quit attitude.
"I am so proud of how our guys fought tonight. We had multiple injuries and multiple setbacks during the game, and we kept grinding and fighting. Guys had to step up and fill roles tonight and they did so admirably. We will be a better team for this experience," said Power on his team.
Standouts for the knights included Cuesta Leon, who had a breakout game with over 200 all-purpose yards, rushing for two scores. Cristiano Louie-Silva had three tackles, two pass breakups, a blocked FG, and a blocked PAT, and Alex Pacholko finished with five tackles and a forced fumble on defense.
The Ravens now have their third big win in a row. Ravens Head Coach Tom Kudaba has seen tremendous growth in his team.
"The players are starting to believe in their abilities and although mistakes are still being made, their overall toughness and commitment is improving daily. We are going to hopefully continue our improvement into next week when we play our rival, Centennial," said Kudaba.
That game kicks off at 7:00 next Friday.
