Eager to pick up where they left off in 2021, Owensboro Catholic came out guns blazing and outscored the Eagles 42-14 under the Friday night lights for a season-opening road win.
The Aces wasted no time putting pressure on Apollo, getting a 34-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Brady Atwell to junior Tutt Carrico to take a 7-0 lead with 10:03 left in the first quarter.
Less than 30 second later it was Owensboro Catholic’s defense that got the job done, as junior Carson Lewis got a 56-yard pick six to make it a 14-0 game. Both teams then began to trade possession back and forth, before a fumble recovery for Apollo gave them a spark.
It was senior Donte Dixon who cashed in on the turnover, taking it 36 yards to the house. However, the extra point went wide and it was 14-6 with 47.6 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Aces tried to respond swiftly to start the second quarter, getting a 41-yard bomb from Atwell to sophomore Waryn Ebelhar to put them on the 17. But after a rough series, they were forced to go for the field goal and missed.
It wasn’t until 5:23 seconds were left in the quarter that either team was able to get on the board, as Atwell hit junior Reid Clark for a 35-yard TD to make it 21-6. Owensboro Catholic kept pouring it on minutes later, getting a pick from senior Lincoln Ferguson before Atwell hit junior Deuce Sims for an 18-yard touchdown and 28-6 lead going into halftime.
The Aces picked up right where they left off in the second half, grabbing the first touchdown out of the locker rooms halfway through the third. This time it was sophomore Vince Carrico, bullying his way into the endzone for a four-yard rushing touchdown to make it a 35-6 game with 6:32 left in the quarter.
It was junior Elijah Blair who helped add onto Owensboro Catholic’s lead shortly into the fourth, getting a one-yard rushing touchdown to make it 42-6 with 11:25 left to play. Apollo would get a four-yard rushing touchdown in the final two minutes of play, but it was too little too late as the Aces claimed a 42-14 season-opening win.
Owensboro Catholic had been eyeballing this game for a long time, as Head Coach Jason Morris and company were focusing this offseason on not going backwards on their strong play to end the 2021 campaign.
“We weren’t even really looking at this as game one of this season,” Morris said. “We were looking at this as a continuation of last season, it just took forever to get here. We didn’t want to take any stepbacks because we felt like we were playing such great football at the end of last season. Last season ended where we didn’t want it, but to me it’s just a continuation because now we’re playing a bunch of now experienced players. It showed tonight.”
Brady Atwell stole the show on opening night, showing out in his first start as the full-time quarterback for the Aces after limited action last season. He threw for nearly 200 yards and had three touchdowns, getting his first career win.
“Brady’s got everything you can’t teach and he’s got everything you can teach as well,” Morris said. “He’s gotta get himself in a little bit better shape so he doesn’t cramp out in the second half, but the only thing to say about him is that he’s a special talent.”
On the defensive side of the ball the Aces had to try and stop Apollo’s bread and butter—the ground game. Knowing the threats the Eagles had in the backfield, this was something that helped them prepare and eventually limit them to the two touchdowns.
“Rhinerson and Dixon are really good football players,” Morris said. “Us as a coaching staff and as a football team, we went to work and we knew that we were gonna have to prepare for those two. Along with Christian Combs and his running ability. They got loose a few times, but I think overall we did a really good job.”
Morris was thrilled with his team’s effort, as the mindset within the program’s coaches and players was on display Friday night. He hopes that the Aces will continue to grow and stay strong mentally as the season progresses.
“This is just a special group of kids,” Morris said. “We told ourselves last year when we were 0-5, all that is are numbers. That doesn’t define who we are. They took that seriously and it’s just who we are. We’re going to play this kind of football every game.”
Owensboro Catholic now sits at 1-0 as they prepare themselves for another crosstown battle, as they are set to host Daviess County at 7 p.m. next Friday.
“Just another great in-city rivalry,” Morris said. “It’ll be another great football team. All four city schools are very tough and we’re expecting a battle from Daviess County next Friday night no doubt. Once again, they’re going to have a huge offensive line and a great running back so we know we’re going to have to get ready for it.”
On the other hand Apollo will head into its game next Friday looking for its first win of the season, as they will have a tough matchup with Owensboro on the road at 7 p.m.
