If ever there was a place where the words suffocate and smother fit in a sports article, a recount of Boone Central’s dominant victory over visiting St. Paul would certainly qualify.
After all, a suffocating Cardinal defense completely smothered St. Paul in a 48-0 thrashing that closed the 2022 regular season.
It was a decision never in doubt, led by a relentless Boone defense that subdued the wildcats start to finish. The Cardinals limited St. Paul (2-7) to just 39 plays and only 23 total yards in the contest. That’s no typo – 23 total yards, with just one net yard rushing. The Wildcats gained only two first downs and were minus-one in turnovers.
That’s defensive domnance.
Boone Central, on the other hand, rode Parker Borer’s four touchdown performance and produced 403 total yards – 235 rushing, 168 through the air. Borer finished with 113 yards and three touchdowns in just seven carries, and also caught two passes for 64 yards and a score.
Beleaguered St. Paul may have seen #2, but they rarely caught him.
“St. Paul had several injuries and wasn’t the same team as earlier in the season,” Boone Central Coach Mark Hudson noted. “Our boys did a nice job on defense and the offense was efficient. It was a good bounce-back game and helped the team get some frustration out after Pierce”
It took little time for Boone to strike. Following three-plays-and-out by St. Paul, the Cardinals began with excellent field position at the Wildcat 40-yard line. Although an immediate Alex Christo touchdown scamper was negated by a penalty, Boone covered the distance in five additional plays, including a 12-yard Christo pass completion to Jack Roberts, a 12-yard run by Borer and Christo’s two-yard TD. James Fogleman added the PAT.
With just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Boone’s Trent Patzel recovered a Wildcat fumble at the St. Paul 14 and Hank Hudson pounded the final yard to complete a short Card touchdown drive (four plays).
Borer really got revved up in the second period, teaming with Christo on a 52-yard catch-and-run touchdown, then racing for TDs of 13 and 11 yards. The junior speedster added a 55-yard scoring bolt in the third quarter that put the Cardinals on top 40-0. Jacob Miller completed scoring with a 65-yard touchdown burst in the final stanza.
Further details and stats in Print & Online editions of Albion News/Boone County Tribune
