Cathedral Catholic Dons 21, Lincoln Hornets 0

Fresh off a defeat last week to the St. Augustine Saints, the Cathedral Catholic Dons came into a match up that, on paper, looked like it would be a walk in the park.

The only problem, however, is that someone didn’t tell the Lincoln Hornets that they were supposed to roll over.

The host Hornets gave the Dons everything they could handle for four quarters, but ultimately fell to Cathedral 21-0 on Friday night.

Senior Night at The Hive opened with an 8-play Cathedral (5-4) drive that resulted in a muffed punt that gave the Hornets (2-7) optimal field position for their first drive, but were unable to produce any points when the drive got inside the 5 yard line. A 20-yard field goal that would have opened the night’s scoring was blocked.

The teams would trade turnovers in the second quarter, as a Hunter Allen fumble wound up in the hands of the Hornet defense. The ensuing possession was short-lived, as Lincoln quarterback Asante Hartzog would throw an interception on the very next play. Cathedral ended up returning the favor 5 plays later when Tate Haynes’ pass ended up in the hands of the Hornets’ La’tre Jacquess. The two teams would take a scoreless tie into the halftime locker room.

After Lincoln was forced to punt on their first drive of the third quarter, the Dons’ offense was finally able to find their groove. Senior running back Hogan Irwin would register 46 yards on the ground on the drive, culminating with a 6-yard touchdown run to open the night’s scoring.

Irwin would finish the game with 117 yards and the touchdown on 14 carries.

Cathedral held on to the ball as the game moved into the fourth quarter, where a Haynes-to-Patrick Brown 43-yard pass set up Jack Thompson for a 3-yard scoring run to put the Dons up 14-0. Cathedral would also score on the following drive, as Haynes would call his own number on a 15-yard quarterback keeper for the score that would put the game out of reach.

Cathedral will close out the regular at home next week when they host Mira Mesa, while the Hornets will try to end the year on a positive note when the travel to St. Augustine.

PREVIEW – The Cathedral Dons (4-4) are traveling south to the land of the Lincoln Hornets (2-6) this Friday, October 30th at 6:30pm. One night shy of Halloween, this game is sure to be brimming with tricks, treats and ghoulish fun for everyone! However, when Lincoln Athletic Director Michael Dejardins was asked if any Halloween antics will take place, he replied “hopefully not!” The varsity match-up is expected to be maintained with sportsmanlike conduct at all times, and students are encouraged to halt their holiday pranks until they are at least off school property.

That being said, the showdown will be festive in other ways: the Lincoln Hornets are proud to welcome their younger local athletes for Pop Warner Night! Young Hornet football players and cheerleaders will join their respective ‘bigs’ on the field and on the sidelines to celebrate their participation in youth prep sports. To add to an even more hoopla to an already happening evening, Friday night is Lincoln High Senior Night! For seniors who come out to the game, Halloween won’t be the only reason for them to be filled with some spirit – school or otherwise! Keep your eyes and ears open at halftime to be part of a special Senior Night announcement.