Rams' D shines under the night lights

    Ainsworth scores two touchdowns in St. Joe's 13-0 shutout of Mother Teresa

    Friday, October 5, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - The St. Joseph's Rams' defence shined brightly under the lights.

St. Joe's moved to 2-1 in the District senior football league, blanking the Mother Teresa Spartans, 13-0, under the lights, before a capacity crowd, at St. Joseph's high school.

Luke Ainsworth did all of the scoring, with touchdown runs of 12 and 21 yards, one major he successful converted kicking a point.

"Defensively we played well. We shut them down on their third down conversions. The run stop on the outside was stopping them from getting up field," said Ainsworth. "They had a lot of penalties that helped us."

The Rams led 6-0 at half and doubled their score in the third quarter.

"Our defence has been holding us all season long. Finally we put some points on the board, but it was late. It was a bit of a struggle for us to get going, but I think we wore them down," Rams’ head coach Eric Ursic said. "A lot of their guys were going both ways, so with time playing down field that much is tough."

 St. Joe's is in a competitive District division that includes powerhouse London football schools, CCH and Aquinas, the Rams’ next two opponents.

"Our division is stacked with so many good football teams. It makes it tough. There are no weeks off that’s for sure," Ursic said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Friday Night Lights. The debut featured St. Joe’s hosting the East Elgin Eagles.

"It was a tough opponent and a great night for football," Ursic said. "A great atmosphere and we get so much community support with this event."

Junior Rams romp

 St. Joe’s junior team remains undefeated at 3-0, following a 52-7 crushing of the Spartans.

Ethan Dolby led the way catching three TD passes, from quarterback Rayden Aphayvong.

"I’ve never coached a team that has been so well rounded. We have a lot of weapons," Rams’ offensive coordinator Chad Archibald said. ""We have a lot of variety. It makes it hard for a defence to prepare for."

Aphayvong, Hunter Gilchrist, Noah Foley, Owen Zufelt and Cameron Wilkenson, each had a touchdown. Tyson Cincelli booted a 23-yard field goal and was perfect on all eight point-after-touchdown attempts.

"It’s a pleasure to have these kids and to be able to teach them. They’re all good kids," said Archibald. "Win or lose, we have to keep going forward. Each of them has a job and if each of them keeps doing that, we’ll come together as a team and things will explode.

"I’m getting the feeling that it’s happening."