De Smet Jesuit Late Comeback Spoils Huge Markel Smith Night

The De Smet Jesuit Spartans, in serious need of a win after opening the 2013 football season 0-2 against state-ranked opponents, scored the first points of Friday's game at Vianney and the last points to cap a comeback in a spirited 38-28 Metro Catholic Conference clash at Don Heeb Field.

Scott Sinovich connected with Trey Weaver down the Spartan sideline on the first play from scrimmage for a 72 yard scoring strike 16 seconds into the game to give De Smet Jesuit a quick lead.

But Vianney answered, behind the read option attack from QB Nick Allgeyer and the best player on the field this night, Running Back Markel Smith.

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Patch MVP: Markel Smith: University of Missouri Head Football Coach Gary Pinkel spent the evening flying from game to game to try and impress recruits in the St. Louis area. He missed a masterful performance from Smith, who reopened his recruitment after giving a verbal pledge to Mizzou last season. Smith, who is also considering Iowa and Mississippi, ran for 244 yards and had 4 touchdowns. A virtuoso run down the Vianney sideline featuring a stutter-step broke for 82 yards and gave the Griffins a 14-7 lead halfway through the first quarter. He added scores of 63 yards, 27 and 20 on the night, and also broke up several passes on defense. He also earned the admiration of the De Smet Jesuit Head Coach Pat Mahoney, who praised his character and talent.

Key Sequence I: With De Smet Jesuit down 21-14 at 8:35 in the third, Dedrick Cromartie scored on an 84 yard touchdown run for the Spartans. Offsetting personal fouls were called on the play, prompting a lengthy argument from Vianney Head Coach Paul Day that the play should be brought back. After several consultations, officials upheld the touchdown.

Key Sequence II: Sinovich keeps the ball for a 10 yard touchdown with 1:20 left, turning a 28-24 deficit into a 31-28 lead. On the ensuing drive, Spartan linebacker Brian Pandolfo intercepts a Garrett Staskewicz pass, leading to a Marcus Jester touchdown late for the final margin.

Quotable I: 

"It was very important," Mahoney said of the win. "We could easily go in the tank if we didn't win this one," although he noted that the effort Friday wouldn't cut it against a high powered Jefferson City squad that the team will face in a few weeks.

Quotable II: 
“I’m really proud of our kids,” Vianney coach Paul Day told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Our kids played their hearts out, but the bottom line is — our expectation — is that we want to win football games like this, and we weren’t able to get that done.”

The Streak

The Golden Griffins looked like they would use Friday the 13th of September to break a string of 13 consecutive conference losses. The team will look to stop it at 14 next week against SLUH. Meanwhile, De Smet Jesuit welcomes Chaminade to New Ballas Road next Friday.