The fans were pumped. The team was prepared. The marching band and cheerleaders were ready. The stage was set for the JC homecoming game.
The offense started off slowly, fumbling the ball away on their first possession. However, the defense was solid and forced a punt to get the ball back to the offense.
Senior quarterback Ryan Kirby completed a long pass to the two-yard line, setting up a one-yard touchdown catch by senior wide receiver DJ Owens. Sophomore kicker Alex Gambrell made the extra point, and JC had the lead at 7-0.
JC’s defense came up with another big play, forcing a fumble and exciting the crowd. Gambrell nailed a 32-yard field goal to cap off the short drive, extending JC’s lead to 10.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was JC 10, St. Frances 0. Early in the second quarter, senior running back Kyle Miele broke free for a 27-yard run that set up another 32-yard field goal from Gambrell. JC’s lead was slowly growing, standing at 13-0.
JC lost another fumble, but the defense was able to keep the scoreboard clean. Kirby led a drive to the St. Frances 15-yard line and took it in from there. Gambrell made another extra point, taking the score to 20-0 JC at halftime.
St. Frances turned the ball over to start the second half. Miele broke another long run, gaining 40 yards and putting the ball on the St. Frances ten yard line. A penalty backed JC up to the St. Frances 20-yard line, and Kirby completed another touchdown pass to Owens. Gambrell added the extra point, and JC’s lead came to 27-0.
The teams traded punts, and a personal foul on St. Frances gave JC the ball at St. Frances’ 10-yard line. St. Frances’ defense forced two straight plays, taking JC back to the 25-yard line. Gambrell made a 42-yard field goal to further extend JC’s lead to 30-0.
St. Frances’ offense continued to have difficulty, and the JC defense had another fumble recovery on the St. Frances ten-yard line. Senior running back Tyler Ray powered in from there. Gambrell’s extra point attempt went wide, but JC’s lead was still stood at 36-0.
St. Frances was able to get on the scoreboard at the end of the game, finishing the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. After St. Frances’ failed two point conversion attempt, JC held the lead at 36-6, the game’s final score.
After the game, the student section stormed the field to congratulate their team on a homecoming victory.
Kirby, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, was positive after the game. “We didn’t play our best in the first half, but we did well in the second half. We were able to get some guys in that don’t play often, and that’s important on homecoming,” Kirby said.
“[I felt] pretty awesome, because it was my first three-field goal game ever,” Gambrell said.
“You always want to win on homecoming in front of the large crowd. It helps set a good mood for the dance the next day,” Kirby said.
This was JC’s third straight win, taking JC’s record to 3-2 heading into their next game at St. Mary’s High School.
Brian Reid can be reached for comment at [email protected].
Video by Megan Battaglia and Rachel Dinsmore.