John Curtis pulls away late in 37-15 win over Holy Cross

NEW ORLEANS – The John Curtis Patriots knew they would face a stiff test against the Holy Cross Tigers Friday night, but they didn’t expect to have to compete against another opponent – themselves.

The Patriots overcame four turnovers to spoil Homecoming night for the Tigers at Tad Gormley Stadium, 37-15.

“I was really proud of our defense,” said John Curtis head coach J.T. Curtis on the task his defense faced spotting Holy Cross terrific field position three times inside the Curtis 35 yard line because of turnovers. “We held them deep in our territory to just three field goals and that was big for our football team.”

John Curtis (7-1) uncharacteristically failed to protect the football all night, which kept Holy Cross in the game into the final quarter. However, the Patriots made up for it by scoring on big plays.

Patriots quarterback Collin Guggenheim helped spark the team and bring momentum back to the Curtis sideline. Guggenheim broke off a 45 yard touchdown run and threw a 49 yard touchdown pass in the half to help keep Curtis in front.

Curtis looked to have put the sloppy play behind them to start the second half but a big mistake sparked the Tigers. Starting at the Holy Cross 46 yard line, the Patriots marched down the field to the Holy Cross 19. Facing a fourth and one, the Patriots pressed the envelope and went for it, calling an option to the far side of the field.

Guggenheim appeared stopped on the play before he flipped the ball out towards Ernest Jones. The ball hit the turf and bounced into Jones’ hands, but then it slipped out again as he tried to tuck the ball away. Holy Cross defender Drew Stephens scooped it up and raced 79 yards the other way for the touchdown, bringing the Tigers within one score, 21-15, with 6:13 to play in the third quarter.

The Curtis defense answered the turnover two possessions later, intercepting Jaden Moran’s pass deep in Patriots territory at the 20 yard line.

Curtis marched down to the Holy Cross three-yard line in 11 plays to set up a 20 yard Brock Wunstell field goal, extending their lead back out to two scores 24-15 with 7:34 to play in the fourth quarter.

With momentum back on their side, Curtis put the game out of reach with a defensive touchdown just one play later. On first down at the Tigers 13 yard line, Moran completed a two yard pass to wide receiver Tyler Kirkwood, who then attempted to pitch the ball on a hook and ladder play. However, the ball hit the ground instead, bouncing right into the hands of Curtis defensive back Brandon Davis who returned it 13 yards for a touchdown with 7:24 to play in the contest.

Guggenheim put the final points on the board, scoring his third touchdown of the night on a 16 yard run with 54 seconds to play in the game.

Following a Malik Wells 14 yard touchdown run, setup by a Holy Cross fumble on their first offensive play from scrimmage, Curtis found themselves up 7-0 with 9:32 to play in the first quarter. However, Curtis put the ball on the turf on their next possession, setting the trend for the night and giving the Tigers first down at the Patriots 21 yard line.

Holy Cross (4-4) settled for a Nolan Heitmeier 33 yard field goal to put them on the board, 7-3, at the 3:38 mark in the first quarter.

A Patriots option pitch was off the mark on first down and recovered by Holy Cross at the Curtis 27 yard line. Again the drive stalled out in three plays, and Heitmeier’s 41 yard field goal made the score 14-6 with 4:11 to play in the half.

On the ensuing kickoff, Curtis put the ball on the turf yet again, fumbling away to Holy Cross at the 31 yard line. Heitmeier’s third field goal of the half, this one from 34 yards out, drew the Tigers to within 14-9.

Guggenheim sparked the Curtis offense with an answer of his own before halftime. Needing just two plays to get the ball to midfield, Guggenheim aired it out to Tyrone Legette with a perfectly placed pass for a 49 yard touchdown pass, stretching the lead back out two scores 21-9 and swinging the momentum back to the Patriots going into halftime.

“We’ve got a good offense,” said J.T. Curtis. “If we can keep improving each week and getting better offensively, I think we can make a run.”

John Curtis will look to continue making a run next week when they host Rummel at the Shrine on Airline. Holy Cross will look to rebound and get back above .500 as they take on St. Augustine in a Thursday night matchup.