Game Story: Winter Arrives at FFL Stadium

[Michael Deneen]

St. Edward hosted Canada Prep High School of Ontario at First Federal Lakewood Stadium on Saturday. St. Ed had the home field, but Canada Prep brought the weather. A few tiny snowflakes were in the air before the 2pm kickoff....by the second half snow and hail began to fall at a steady pace. The snow didn't stick to most surfaces in the mid-40s weather, but it did provide a white coating to much of the turf at FFL Stadium. The Eagles treated their Homecoming crowd to a 42-10 win, which brought their record to 7-1 on the season.

The international game featured the playing of two national anthems. Some St. Edward alums joined the Eagle Marching Band on the field for a pregame rendition of both "O Canada" and "The Star Spangled Banner". The game started out one-sided, as St. Edward went ahead 21-0 early in the second quarter. Canada Prep fought back, tightening the game to 21-10 at the half.

The Homecoming Halftime featured not only the marching band, but a couple of special presentations. Members of the Class of 1966 took the field, as the beginning of their 50th Reunion which will happen next year. The 1975 St. Edward football team was also honored. The 1975 team was the first in St. Edward history to go undefeated in the regular season, and was the first to make it to the state championship game. That team fell in the final minute to one of the legendary Cincinnati Moeller teams of that era.

The Eagles pulled away in the third quarter, and eventually took a 42-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. That set the OHSAA "Running Clock" into motion, allowing the remainder of the game to proceed quickly. St. Edward was able to use a lot of backup players late in the game, including quarterback Kevin Kramer.

St. Edward dominated on the ground, rushing for 322 yards. Starting quarterback Jimmy Keefe had the most yardage, with 88 yards on 11 carries. Cole Gest had 10 carries for 78 yards; Elijah Warfield and Edward Redden had 49 and 39, respectively. St. Edward returns to action next Saturday at home against Cincinnati Moeller.