Petzke TDs lift Stamps over rival Rams

   Parkside scores twice for a 15-12 comeback in a senior football quarterfinal

  October 27, 2022

By Rob J. Ross

ST. THOMAS - Christian Petzke has the Parkside Stampeders in the TVRA semifinals.

Petzke scored two touchdowns in the second half, including the winning major, mid fourth quarter, as the Stampeders edged their cross town rivals, St. Joe's Rams, 15-12, in a Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) senior football quarterfinal, October 26 at 1Password Park.

"They got up on us in the first half, capitalizing on some mistakes we made and in the second half we reduced our mistakes. We had a tipped punt that went for a short field and we conceded a safety. That's nine of the 12 points," said Parkside head coach Jason Congdon said. "We maintained our composure for the second half.

St. Joe's led 12-1 at half, on a Gage Hamilton touchdown, a field goal and extra point from Ante Raic, along with a two-point safety.

Merrick Rollins punted a rouge for Parkside's lone point.

"It was no coaching magic. We called the same plays. We just ran them better. Our guys just muscled up and blocked," Congdon said. "The first half we weren't running the ball very well. We weren't engaging in the our blocks. Our strength is in our line play and our running backs right now and they answered the call at half."

Petzke finished with 81 yards on 16 carries, Rollins, 108 yards on 18 carries and Ryan King had 32 yards.

Nash Coombs kicked two extra points after the Petzke's TDs.

"We had defensive backs Nash Coombs and Jake McLean rise up. Jake had a couple of tipped passes at safety and Nash, two interceptions," said Congdon.

The Rams missed two field goals, one attempting to tie the game at 15 late in the fourth quarter.

"This is a nice win for us," said Congdon. "We had 11 new starters on O and seven new starters on D. A new offensive system. It's been a lot of hard work that got in to this and it's paying off."

Due to division changes and the Catholic schools playing in their own league for several years, it was the first time since 2012 these St. Thomas foes met in a TVRA game.

"It's a big game for these kids. They're all friends. They were really excited to play their friends," said Congdon. "There are a lot of good football players in town and in Elgin County that come to both of our schools."

Parkside moves on to tackle the College Avenue Knights, from Woodstock, in the semifinals, Thursday, November 2, 11 a.m at Password.

The Knights upset previously undefeated Mother Teresa Spartans, 18-14, in their quarterfinal. The Spartans had not allowed a point in five regular season games.

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