The Cardinals polished up a perfect 14-0 season to earn the TAPPS Div. IV State Title under the direction of Head Coach Jake Wachsmuth on Saturday, December 4 in Killeen by defeating Colleyville Covenant Christian 48-41.
The Cardinals used its rush attack to outgain Colleyville Covenant, a staple it used through the season to reach the state championship.
St. Paul racked up 320 yards on the ground led by Martin Kennedy who finished with 154 yards on 22 carries. Adam Hollenbach finished with 81 yards on 16 carries on three quarters of play after suffering an injury that sidelined him.
Hollenbach led St. Paul in the season finishing with 2,000 yards on 230 carries and 47 touchdowns. Kennedy finished with 1,202 yards on 120 carries and 17 touchdowns.
Hollenbach’s best game came against Muenster in the quarterfinals where he finished with 237 yards on the ground on 20 carries and four touchdowns.
Brandon Sciba finished the season for St. Paul with 852 yards on 62 carries and was named the Most Valuable Player in the state championship game.
St. Paul’s rushing averages through the season were evident the team dominated. The Cardinals averaged 329.7 yards as a team in the regular season and 339 yards in district play. In the playoffs, they averaged 377.5 yards a game.
As a whole, St. Paul gained 4,844 rushing yards through 14 games and scored 87 touchdowns.
St. Paul Rushing Statistics through the season Game Team Carries-Yards Leader Pettus 43-199 Hollenbach, 106 Cornerstone 28-446 Hollenbach, 165 Stockdale 48-381 Hollenbach, 216 Flatonia 26-273 Hollenbach, 103 Bryan St. Joseph 31-379 Sciba, 112 Regents 41-300 Hollenbach, 169 Bryan Brazos * 41-434 Hollenbach, 216 St. Gerard * 27-245 Hollenbach, 95 Sacred Heart * 44-408 Kennedy, 101 St. Dominic Savior * 32-269 Hollenbach, 103 Rockwall Christian ** 42-513 Sciba, 172 Muenster ** 35-378 Hollenbach, 237 Lubbock Christian ** 52-299 Hollenbach 161 Colleyville Covenant ** 54-320 Kennedy 154 * Denotes District Game ** Denotes TAPPS playoffs