Gators open PAL Bay Division football with a win
Sacred Heart Prep had its way with visiting Terra Nova, 42-10, in a Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division opener for both teams. And its way was every which way: by ground, air, special teams and defense.
Terra Nova (3-2, 0-1) came into the game averaging a touch better than 35 points but Sacred Heart Prep (4-1, 1-0) throttled the Tigers’ attack. The defense limited Terra Nova to 49 yards and a field goal in the first half while exploding for 35 points.
“(Terra Nova) is a good team and that’s a very good quarterback over there, but we gave them a lot of great looks on defense,” said Gators’ coach Mark Grieb. “We have a lot of studs on defense.”
The leader Friday was senior Tevita Moimoi, who dominated at linebacker and running back.
Moimoi rushed for 121 yards on 17 carries, and all but one carry and three yards came in the first half.
“We challenged Tevita this week to not play like he has to do everything,” Grieb said. “He’s so fast, so physical and such a great leader; we wanted him to just play at his speed.”
The result was Moimoi did just about everything.
He set up the first touchdown on SHP’s opening drive by rushing for 36 yards on 7 of the first 13 plays before J.P. Frimel caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Teddy Purcell. He scored the final two touchdowns of the half on runs of 29 and 8 yards.
As for the air game, the Gators were typically efficient. Purcell threw three touchdown passes and completed 8 of 11 passes for 181 yards. After the Frimel throw, Purcell connected with Beck Anderson for a 67-yard score, His last pass was an 11-yard fade for a touchdown to Everett Banks.
The long pass to Anderson came on a bit of a broken play. The intended receiver was covered but Anderson, who was just beyond that first option, made eye contact and sprinted down the sideline and Purcell lofted the ball into his arms.
“Teddy is a super-talented player. He is so accurate,” Grieb said. “He’s got a great sense for the game and the ability to throw accurately and on time.”
The special teams picked up a score in the first quarter when punt returner Dante Cacchione fielded a line-drive punt after a big hop and burst through the middle of the field for a 48-yard score.
“I’ve thought we were a good team all year,” Grieb said. “And we came out today and played like a good football team. We started fast and played well throughout. I think we are really talented – look at the receiving corps, running backs and quarterback … And the defense is good. These guys are the real deal.”
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Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12
