The Saints are marching on.
St. Thomas Aquinas struck early and often in its 48-17 drubbing over Washington. The Saints used five first-quarter touchdowns to jump out to a 35-0 lead and were up 41-3 at halftime. The barrage let the visiting Wildcats know they were in for a long night.
Thankfully for Saints head coach Randy Dreiling, the host were able to rest a few starters after the opening 12 minutes of their KSHSAA postseason opener.
The Saints improved to 5-4 on the season and advanced in district play to face the winner of Schlagle and Spring Hill. Washington's season ends with a record of 3-5.
"It was good to get those guys in there to get some experience in front of those fans," Dreiling said. "We didn't get that a lot this year."
From a sheer numbers standpoint, Washington was outmanned from the opening kick. St. Thomas Aquinas features a roster with more than 100 players including freshmen. Washington's lineup doesn't come close to half of that total. The Saints run a two-deep platoon system. The Wildcats don't have that luxury. The most talented Wildcats never leave the field.
Washington head coach Camron Smith was not available for a postgame interview.
St. Thomas Aquinas wasted little time displaying its dominance. The Saints were up 14-0 within minutes and tacked on two additional touchdowns nearly halfway through the first quarter.
St. Thomas Aquinas played a schedule that included two talented teams from the St. Louis area and went 3-3 in the rugged Eastern Kansas League. Rarely is Dreiling afforded the opportunity to play reserves extended minutes at any time let alone before half.
A Week 10 tune-up wasn't the worst thing in the football universe.
"We've seen as good of teams as you're going to play," Dreiling said. "Now you've just got to execute."
