CISAA: St. Andrew’s Go 4-0 Against Villanova

The game started out in favor of the Knights as they were able to keep the Saints scoreless in the first half. However, during the second half the Saints were able to get back to their game plan and take over.
As mentioned, it was not a great start for St. Andrew’s. Their star running back Jonathan Femi-Cole sprained his ankle and was sat as a precaution. The Saints relied on the abilities of quarterback Chris Merchant to lead after Femi-Cole was benched. “Villanova was well prepared”, says Saints’ head coach Len Gurr. “But we managed to bounce back and score 35 points in the second half”. (Saints QB Chris Merchant [photo by Hannah McGregor]) The second half featured slot backs Malcolm Carter who had three touchdown receptions and Zach Marcus who had one touchdown reception. Quarterback Merchant threw for 350 passing yards and kicked five PATs. Villanova was able to score 16 points, but it was a blocked punt and an interception that allowed St. Andrew’s to score on two occasions and turn the tide of the game.
Villanova came into this game needing a win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. They played a great first half, shutting out the league leading Saints. “We had a great game plan that we were proud of and we are proud of our kids”, says Villanova head coach Marcello Lio. “We played tough against a very good team and did a good job”.
Villanova will play their last game at home against the Trinity College School Bears. The Bears are still winless this season after losing to Ashbury last week. Although Villanova may be eliminated from the CISAA playoffs, they are excited to end the season with a win. “We want to end on a good note”, says coach Lio. “We consider it a must-win game”.
St. Andrew’s will play St. Michael’s college for their last regular game of the season. The Saints are one win away of having a perfect season. However, Saint’s coach Gurr says that, “We don’t put the same stock into those types of things like we used to. We will just play as well as we can. If it isn’t a playoff game, it isn’t a must-win game”. Both teams will definitely be heading to the playoffs, so this could be a preview of what we may see in the post-season.  The game will be at St. Andrew’s starting at 2:30PM.