The St. John Heralds football team started fast, stumbled and recovered for a 41-24 playoff win over the visiting Mathews Mustangs on Friday, Oct. 30th. It was not only the Heralds’ first home playoff game, but also their first home playoff win and first playoff win since 1982.
St. John defeated Mathews 41-24 to improve to 9-2 on the year.
St. John drove down the field on their opening possession and took an early lead.
Chase Newsome capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked as St. John remained up 6-0.
The Heralds would then catch a break as a bad snap caused the Mustangs to knee the ball on their own territory on a punt attempt.
Newsome went on to eventually capitalize on the short field with a four-yard touchdown run, making it 13-0 after the extra point.
Mathews then had a spark with a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Mason Eagle, to trim the lead to 13-7.
The Mustangs went on to outscore the Heralds 10-0 in the second quarter.
Eagle took a pitch and then completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Caden Runner to tie the game at 13-13. The extra point was good as the Mustangs went up 14-13.
Mathews added a 27-yard field goal right before halftime to take extend their lead to 17-13.
The Heralds bounced back in the third quarter and put the game away in the fourth quarter.
Chase Newsome put the Heralds back in front with a one-yard touchdown mid-way through the third quarter, making it 20-17 after the extra point.
The Mustangs responded with another big play by Eagle this time on a 73-yard touchdown pass. The extra point put the Mustangs back up 24-20.
St. John answered with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Benedict to Gus Petros.
The extra point was once again successful as the Heralds went up 27-24.
Bentley Baker added two touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to help the Heralds win 41-24.
Bentley first scored on a 24-yard touchdown run, making it 34-24 with the extra point.
Bentley then added another touchdown for insurance on a 45-yard run, making it 41-24 after the extra point.
The Heralds will now face the Mogadore Wildcats on the road.
