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Rockets Surpass Sylvan Hills in Homecoming Showdown

By Andrew Dillman on October 16, 2022

When a team in any sport begins their season with a 6-0 start, it is an exciting time. Fans come out in droves to support said team and watch the team extend their streak. This was the case at the Homecoming football game for this school Friday night, October 14, which resulted in a 24-14 victory at War Memorial Stadium.

While the game occurred on Friday night, Homecoming week festivities occurred throughout the week, the most notable being the Alumni Dinner, attended by over 700 graduates of the school. Additionally, there was a homecoming tailgate before the game, with free bratwursts and hot dogs provided by Bank of England. This tailgate included many tents set up by graduating classes, as well as the live 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. broadcasts from Channel 7 KATV.

The game began promptly at 7 p.m., with the Sylvan Hills Bears receiving the kickoff. On that drive, the Bears made their way to the end zone, setting the score at 7-0 and taking up half of the first quarter in the process. The Bears attempted an onside kick, which the Rockets recovered. This drive ended with the home team forced to punt, launching a trade of possessions that ran out the rest of the first quarter.

Sylvan Hills began the second quarter with the ball, but eventually turned over to the Rockets. Through a series of passes, runs, and first downs, the Rockets tied up the score midway through the second quarter with a pass to Brooks Ward. After a series of scoreless possessions and punts, Sam Sanders connected with Brooks Ward again on a 3rd-and-16 pass, moving the Rockets into the lead (14-7) as the waning seconds of the second quarter ran.

The halftime event was focused on the presentation and announcement of the Homecoming Queen. The homecoming court, consisting of Mount St. Mary Belles Sarah Dominick, Grace McKay, Libby Faulkner, Emma Smith, Hallie Phillips, Alexia Coca, Laura Auger, and Grace Carman, walked through a line of the Catholic High MCJROTC Sword Detail and Mount St. Mary Rockettes, before the winner was announced. Fr. Frederick crowned Libby Faulkner as the 2022 Homecoming Queen.

When the football game resumed, Catholic High received  the kickoff. Into this possession, the Bears intercepted the ball, but were forced to punt. The Rockets put together a play that reached the end zone, but due to a flag on the play because of an “ineligible reciever,” the Rockets were forced to move back five yards. The Rockets still drove down the field, and the drive ultimately resulted in a field goal kick by Will Aaron to put the team ahead at 17-7, which remained the score for the rest of the third quarter.

Sylvan Hills punted to begin the fourth quarter. A series of passes and runs led to a touchdown run from Dominic Keeton with over nine minutes remaining in the game, setting the score at 24-7. A strong drive from Sylvan Hills allowed for a touchdown run that moved the score to 24-14, where it would remain for the end of the game. The Rockets nearly scored again, but took a knee with twenty seconds remaining to conclude the Homecoming game.

Although the win was similar to many others the Rockets had this year, it was also a sign of the atmosphere and fandom that surrounds the school.  “The game felt great, because of all the alumni and the fans that are there to watch you play,” said senior player Miles Marlow.

Outside observers also noted the “Catholic High difference.” Alumnus Todd Yakoubian, a meteorologist for KATV and part of the broadcast team present at the tailgate, said, “Catholic High is not just about education. It is about taking these young boys and turning them into good husbands and good fathers.”

Andrew Dillman
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