Though it took until near the end of the first quarter for the Owensboro Catholic football to get on the board, they picked up momentum quickly and dominated the rest of the way in Friday’s 54-14 victory at South Spencer.
Head coach Jason Morris said he was proud of the way the Aces (3-1) bounced back from a tough loss last week, and they put a complete game together to ensure victory.
“The defense did a great job of bowing their backs all night,” Morris said. “South Spencer was well prepared. Our defensive coordinator Lincoln Latham did an excellent job getting our guys ready as well.”
South Spencer (0-4) was first to score, taking a 7-0 lead with 2:07 to play in the opening period, though the Aces stormed back and scored five touchdowns before halftime.
Catholic quarterback Drew Hartz connected with Jackson Staples for an 11-yard touchdown strike with about a minute to go in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Dre Thruston rushed for a 16-yard score and Braden Mundy returned a punt 60 yards to paydirt. The duo struck one more time, each catching a 50+ yard pass from Hartz that allowed Catholic to take a 34-7 lead at the break.
“Dre is showing that he’s getting in better game shape,” Morris said. “He was explosive all night on special teams, at running back and at receiver.”
Thruston scored twice more, adding a 32-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and an 80-yard kickoff return in the fourth.
Hartz also threw for one more touchdown, hitting Hagan Edge for a 3-yard score.
“Drew made plays for us all night and was very accurate,” Morris said. “We still have to clean up the drops. The offensive line kept him clean most of the night. Seniors Rudy Clouse and Noah Edelen led the way up front.”
Morris was happy with the effort from Mundy as well, noting that the Aces will be tough to stop if everyone is contributing on the same night.
“Braden Mundy played great,” he said. “I think he had five pancake blocks down field at receiver. He also had a couple scores. When he and Dre are both going like that, with Hagan Edge as well, we are very tough to defend.”
The Aces return home next week to host Hopkins County Central (0-4).
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2019 football coverage is presented in part by Drew Cunningham, agent at State Farm.
