St. Paul picks up win in battle of state champs
by Jason Chlapek
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Gonzales Inquirer Article | St. Paul Cardinal Football | Return to Shiner Home Page
AUSTIN -- It was a battle of defending TAPPS state champions Friday as Division III reigning champ Regents hosted reigning Division IV champ St. Paul.
St. Paul linebacker running back Adam Hollenbach (21) tries to elude a Regents defender during the Cadinals’ 25-21 victory over the Knights Friday at Regents. photo courtesy of Lori Raabe
But in the end, the Cardinals reigned. St. Paul used a trio of big first-half plays to build a 14-point halftime lead before holding off Regents in the end, 25-21, Friday at Regents in Austin.
The Cardinals struck first as Martin Kennedy took the opening kickoff back 80 yards for a score to give his team a 7-0 lead. Dakota Kresta then hit Justin Natal for a 40-yard touchdown pass to put St. Paul (5-1) up 14-0.
Andrew Meynig hit Cole Gilmore for a 55-yard score and ran in the two-point conversion to cut the Cardinals’ lead to 14-8 after one quarter of play. Adam Hollenbach scored from 24 yards out and Natal added the two-point conversion to put St. Paul up 22-8 at halftime.
Douglas Meynig scored on a 21-yard run in the third quarter to pull Regents (3-3) within seven, 22-15, after three quarters of play. But a 23-yard field goal by Cole Hybner gave the Cardinals a 25-15 lead, and it was just enough as Andrew Meynig scored from seven yartds out to pull the Knights within four, 25-21, before time expired.
Kresta passed for 201 yards and a touchdown, while Hollenbach had 75 yards rushing and 43 receiving. Natal caught five passes for a game-high 158 yards and a touchdown.
St. Paul opens Division IV-District 3 play against Bryan Brazos Christian at 6 p.m. Saturday at Comanche Field in Shiner.
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