St. Paul put up four touchdowns in each of the first two quarters for a halftime lead of 56-0 and added an additional TD in the third and fourth quarters as well for 10 total trips into the end zone. Three of those touchdowns came on rushing plays by T.J. Bell who racked up 198 total yards on just 7 touches. Another 3 came on passes from Austin Barton to Colton Machart, Ryan Bell, and Marco Ynclan. Barton threw for 168 total yards and completed all three of his pass attempts for touchdowns.
Colton Machart reaches up for a pass from quarterback Austin Barton. After receiving the pass, Machart ran it in for the second Cardinal touchdown of the night.
[ NOTE: click on photo to enlarge ]
Machart, who received the first touchdown pass of the game, said, "The defense was playing up really tight because they were defending our great running game. It was just easy catching the ball because the play action was so great."
The remaining touchdowns came on runs by Jed Janecek, Ryan Geiger, Nathan Wagner, and Tre'Zell Jenkins-Perry. Barton also kicked 9 for 10 on extra point attempts.
Overall, the Cardinal defense not only kept the Eagles scoreless, they also held them to just 5 first downs and 43 total yards. St. Paul had 452 rushing yards and 620 total yards on the night.
This win, the Cardinal's last home game of the 2015 season, advances them to the regional round of the playoffs where they will rematch their district opponent, Austin Texas School for the Deaf, who they defeated 49-0 in regular season competition. They will play on Friday (November 20, 2015) in Giddings at 7:30 p.m.
Machart said of his last game at Comanche Stadium, "I've had a lot of good memories here at this stadium. It's a little sad to play my last game here, but bittersweet because we get to keep playing. I think tonight was an excellent win for the team and another step forward to a championship."