St. Joseph Christian defeats Bishop LeBlond 26-20 in a battle of cross-town rivals to advance to the District Championship

by Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com

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St. Joseph Christian 26 Bishop LeBlond 20

In a battle of the two private schools in St. Joseph, St. Joseph Christian knocked off the Bishop LeBlond Eagles 26-20 to advance to their first District Championship game since 2014.  It was also the Lion's first win over Bishop LeBlond in football (in four meetings).

The Lions received the ball to start the game but fumbled the ball at the Eagle's 34-yard line.  However, penalties stalled LeBlond's first drive forcing them to punt.  St. Joseph Christian took advantage when Cy Carlson scored on an option from 16 yards to put the Lions up 6-0 with 6:06 left in the 1st quarter.  LeBlond was able to get into the red zone on their next drive but turned it over on downs with 46 seconds left in the quarter.  The first quarter ended with St. Joseph Christian up 6-0.

On the first play of the 2nd quarter, Peyton Hausman broke free for a 41-yard touchdown run.  He also scored on the conversion to put the Lions up 14-0 with 11:50 left in the half.  The Eagles would answer when Jackson Sigrist scored from 10 yards out with 5:11 left.  He would catch the conversion from Cooper Tabor to cut the Lion's lead to 14-8.

Almost half of the scoring in the game came in the last 2-plus minutes of the 1st half.  With 2:11 left, Hausman scored his 2nd touchdown of the game from 3 yards.  After a failed conversion, the Lions led 20-8.  The Eagles answered when Tabor scored from 5 yards with 1:18 left to cut it to 20-14.  But the Lions were able to extend the lead right before the half when Levi Miller found Vail Freuchting in the end zone from 13 yards.  It was 26-14 at halftime.

The second half was mostly defense.  LeBlond turned it over on downs on their first possession, but the Lions immediately fumbled it to give the ball back.  LeBlond would take advantage when Trey Icke ran it in from a yard.  The conversion was no good which made it 26-20 in favor of St. Joseph Christian with 6:06 left in the 3rd quarter.  The Lions would turn it over on downs on their next possession, and the quarter would end with the Eagles still trailing 26-20. 

The Eagles were driving in the 4th quarter and got the ball inside the Lion's 10-yard line.  On a 4th and 5 throw, the refs threw a flag for defensive pass interference on St. Joseph Christian.  However, it was called off because the ball was tipped.  Much to the ire of LeBlond's coaches and fans, St. Joseph Christian took over at their own 5-yard with 9:47 left in the game.

LeBlond forced a punt at the 6:15 mark with another chance to tie or take a lead.  However, they fumbled with 3:27 left and St. Joseph Christian ran out the clock to secure a 26-20 win and a date with Plattsburg in the District Championship game.

Postgame from Tommy Rezac at St. Joseph Post:

St. Joseph Christian (@SJCSLions) scored a historic win on their home field Friday with a 26-20 W over Bishop LeBlond in an @MO8ManFootball District 5 semifinal.

The Lions now face Plattsburg for the district crown next week.

Recap/interviews:https://t.co/wudI9n4WkM pic.twitter.com/gBRGD6xqCt

— Tommy Rezac (@TommyKFEQ) November 4, 2023

Here is my postgame podcast and interview with coach Troy Schenk:

Here are photos from the game:

Highlights from Chris Roush Media: