St. Thomas Academy vs. Hill Murray

Led by its multi-headed rushing attack, St. Thomas Academy continued its string of dominance to begin the 2009 season with a 48-0 romp over Hill Murray, spoiling the Pioneers’ homecoming.

Tailbacks Dan Freund and Augie Braddock powered the Cadets offense with two touchdowns apiece and the defense shut down the Hill Murray (1-3) attack.

St. Thomas Academy, now 4-0, has outscored its opponents 174-27 this season.

The Cadets wasted little time flexing their offensive prowess, scoring on the opening drive of the game courtesy of a 25 yard run up the gut by Freund.

John Garry found Dan Abbott open across the middle for a 10 yard touchdown and Freund ran another in for a 5 yard score on the team’s next two possessions to push STA’s lead to 22, where it would remain through halftime.

The Pioneers never really threatened.

Playmaker Zach LaValle was held in check with the exception of a long screen pass and catch that took Hill Murray into Cadets territory, and starting quarterback Alec Conners was forced out of the game in the third quarter with an injury.

St. Thomas continued to pound the ball in the second half; a tiring Pioneers defense opened the door for some big plays.

Braddock scampered 60 yards untouched into the end zone and ran another in from 10 yards, quarterback Ryan McManus connected with Kyle Rohde for six on a 31-yard strike and John Gould broke numerous tackles during a 64 yard dash on his way to paydirt to cap the scoring.

Catch the Cadets in action next Friday, Oct. 2, as they take on the Henry Sibley Warriors, while the Pioneers head to Tartan to play the Titans.