On May 31, more than five months and a lifetime ago, the SLUH football team gathered on the archery fields in Forest Park for the first day of football camp — the first day, really, of The Season.
A talented group of rising seniors and juniors were coming off a disappointing 4-6 2010 campaign knowing full well they were a better team than their record.
On that late spring day, assistant coach Matt Buha, special teams coordinator and coach of the offensive and defensive lines, told his squads in a breakout session that their first goal had to be 12.
“We can talk about winning state, and that’s nice and everything, but you gotta win a playoff game first,” Buha told the linemen. “Then you’ve got to get to a 12th game and win it.”
That’s exactly the goal the Jr. Billikens have in front of them now after disposing of Oakville 57-27 Nov. 4 and winning SLUH’s first playoff football game since 1999 — the first playoff victory in 12 years.
The last time SLUH won a playoff game, Coach Gary Kornfeld’s son Mark was taking the snaps. On this night, Mark Kornfeld, who had a respectable college career at the University of Illinois, was up in the box as one of the SLUH assistants, helping call plays.
And what an impressive display of offense it was:
- running back Terek Hawkins (above right) rushing for 216 yards and four touchdowns;
- receiver Cameron Stubbs (above left) catching seven passes for 247 yards — a new SLUH single-game record — and two touchdowns;
- quarterback Trevor McDonagh completing 15-of-19 passing performance for 396 yards and four touchdowns;
- receiver Stefan Sansone (below right) catching two touchdowns; and
- one successful execution of a two-point conversion, with holder Paul Simon picking up the snap and running the opposite way into the endzone.
A lot happened, and a lot happened quickly in this 11th night of the 2011 season. The defense barely had enough time to catch its breath, and special teams were out there all night long. You can read more about the game the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
All this football mom knows is that for the parents and friends watching in the stands, the 11th game was a whirlwind, the kind that takes hold of you early on and doesn’t let up. I was out of breath by the end.
So now Coach Buha’s 12th-game goal is in sight next Friday night when DeSmet comes to SLUH for the state quarterfinal. That game will take place on 11/11/11. If you’re coming, get there early as anyone who has ever bled SLUH Blue or DeSmet Maroon will be there.
The Season continues.
Photos by Nancy Winkelmann. To view more SLUH varsity football pictures, visit nancywinkelmann.zenfolio.com/varsitypix
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