Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. – No. 20 Webber International football took on No. 8 St Xavier on a cool Chicago night, falling to the Cougars, 37-34 The first half belonged to the Warriors, but St. Francis fought back and won the game late.

Defense dominated the early goings with neither team able to find a rhythm. With seven minutes left in the first, a bad punt set up the Warriors deep in St. Xavier territory. Brendan Deshields led the drive, eventually punching it in from a yard out to give Webber International an early, 7-0, lead. On the following drive, Darius Page ripped off a massive 70-yard touchdown run, pushing the Warrior advantage to 14-0. The Webber International defense was stout in the quarter limiting the Cougars to three punts and a missed field goal.

St. Xavier got on the board early in the second quarter on a 20-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Webber International lead to 14-7. The Warriors responded right away with a nine-play 62-yard drive, capped off by Page punching it in to the end zone to put Webber International up 20-7. With seven minutes to play in the second quarter, Chris Leppinen forced a fumble in St. Xavier territory, unfortunately the Warriors could not capitalize when Spencer Maldonado's long field goal sailed just right of the upright.

St. Xavier was able to score its second passing touchdown of the game, two minutes before halftime, bringing the score to 20-14 in favor of the Warriors. The Warriors quickly responded after Billy Pavlock found Maurice Thomas down the middle for a 33-yard touchdown pass putting Webber International up, 26-14. The Cougars were able to knock in a long field goal just before the halftime whistle blew, sending Webber International in to the locker room with a, 26-17, lead.

Webber International struggled to gain a foothold in the third quarter, falling behind for the first time, 31-26. The Cougars controlled the clock, eating up 11:58 on its way to 17 unanswered points.

The scoring subsided in the final quarter, seeing only 13 total points. An interception by Tyler Clark and a forced fumble by Donte' Taylor helped swing the momentum back into the Warriors favor.

With two minutes to play and facing a 34-26 deficit, the Warriors forced a punt to gain possession with a chance to tie the game. Pavlock and the Warriors marched 64 yards down the field with Page finding the end zone for the second time. Still down two, Pavlock kept the ball himself and converted the two-point conversion to even the score at 34-34.

A 41-yard kickoff return put the Cougars in position to win the game late. Two long throws by the Cougars John Rode led to a field goal, securing a 37-34 win for St. Xavier.

The Warriors are back in action, Saturday, September 26 in an exhibition game against ASA Miami at Legion Field.