By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Last season, it took some time to fire on all cylinders for the Springfield Catholic Fighting Irish.
What a difference one year makes.
Fast forward a bit and the Irish now are residing on the opposite end of the spectrum as they have cruised to a 2-0 overall record after defeating visiting Houston (1-1) on Friday night, 41-35.
The progression has started with a strong finish to last season.
“It is not so much as the start to this year as it is the finish to last year,” said Catholic Head Coach Wes Page. “We won our last three regular-season games and played a tough district quarterfinal game against Mountain View-Liberty, took them down to the wire.”
Those 2024 tutorials are paying dividends so far in 2025.
Added Page: “The guys have not stopped working since then. They have bought into everything we are doing out here. We have talked all summer about starting fast. They have taken that to heart.”
And start fast they did.
Easton Gifford found paydirt on a 1-yard touchdown run on the team’s initial possession.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Later Boston Hartman found the end zone from 3 yards out, exposing the B gap, as the Irish trailed 21-14.
On their next possession, all it took was five plays as Gifford took the pitch out wide around the left end for the score, as the Irish stormed back to knot up the score at halftime, 21-21.
“It has been an awesome start to the year. It is all of our guys, they really lead this team,” said Page. “They have done a great job in trusting each other.”
Throughout the night, laundry was on the field and two scores by the Irish were called back.
But the team never wavered.
“They know how to communicate. They know how to pick up each other,” said Page.
In the third, Houston turned over the ball on downs, and the Irish followed suit.
The Tigers scored at the 5:48 mark on Aaron McCarthy’s 9-yard run, as Houston led 28-21.
The Irish, though, in Irish fashion, tightened up the cleats.
A four-play scoring drive was capped off as sophomore signal caller Jett Lewis connected with Sam Boster for the 33-yard touchdown with four minutes remaining in the third, tied at 28.
Houston punted on its next possession.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
Lewis and company went back to work, as Lewis found Jack Belz for the 31-yard score.
“We wanted to attack them on all fronts,” said Lewis. “They switch up their defense each week. We weren’t going to know what they were going to throw at us. We just wanted to practice every aspect of our game, to be ready for whatever was coming for us.”
The Irish defense clamped down and forced another punt as the Tigers’ seven-play drive stalled, much to the chagrin of the Irish.
The Irish authored a 5-play drive, which culminated with another score from Gifford, this time from 63 yards out, giving the Irish the cushion they so coveted, extending the lead to 41-28.
Houston scored on Tucker Venn’s 9-yard scamper.
For Lewis, who tossed two touchdowns, starting the season 2-0 is something in which he is not accustomed.
“It feels awesome. I have never had a 2-0 start … ever. And I am so happy about it,” said Lewis. “I am happy with our team. Our team is playing so well.”
Next week the Irish head east to Strafford.
“We have a long history with Strafford going back and forth with wins,” said Page. “It has never been an easy game. We love getting in our conference and starting to make a statement and let them know we are going to be a player in the Mid-Lakes [Conference].”
In fitting form, with the Tigers driving with under one minute remaining in regulation, Lewis came up with the game-sealing interception.
Scoring (unofficial)
Springfield Catholic — 7 13 7 14
Lewis: 157 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns.
Hartman: 30 yards, 1 touchdown.
Gifford: 109 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns
Houston — 14 7 7 7
Quarterback DJ Riley: 144 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns.
Aaron McCarthy: 1 touchdown.
Tucker Venn : 1 touchdown.
Houston hosts Salem next week.
