Will the four-time defending sectional champion and number-one ranked Class AA Section V Knights prevail? Or will the Li’l Irish, under the direction of new head coach Maurice Jackson stop McQuaid’s dynasty. Come find out Friday night at 1800 South Clinton Avenue as top-ranked McQuaid Jesuit takes on the fourth-seeded Aquinas Institute.
The last time the two powerhouses faced off, the game was held at Fauver Stadium located on the campus of the University of Rochester. Just a mere two weeks ago on the cold, rainy, Rochester night, the Li’l Irish took a 7-0 lead after Trent Buttles launched a pass to a wide open Noah Collins-Howard, which held until halftime. McQuaid was starting to find some progress in the run game towards the end of the half and reached the Aquinas 28-yard line, yet they failed on the fourth down conversion.
Coming out of the half, Aquinas kicked it off to McQuaid, and after gaining a few first downs in the run game, the Knight’s offense stalled out. Possessions went back and forth in the third quarter, until there was a series of game changing special teams plays. Dominic Sansone, the senior punter for the Knights, boomed a 48-yard punt into the stiff wind to pin the Li’l Irish on their own 3-yard line. A great defensive stand ensued and after a shanked punt from Aquinas, Brenton Paladino returned the ball inside the Aquinas redzone. Senior running back John Harding then took advantage of the short field and tied the game up after a successful extra point.
In the fourth quarter, the Knights put up another touchdown with the legs of their junior running back Allen Nesmith. Quickly, however, Aquinas responded with a 5:11 drive, which resulted in a touchdown with zero seconds remaining on the clock. Coach Jackson decided that he would keep his offense on the field; however, this gamble turned out the be the wrong call as junior free safety J.P. Gianforti broke up the game winning pass for the two point conversion.
Fast forward two weeks into the future and we arrive on November 3, 2023, at McQuaid Jesuit’s Tom Seymour Field. As for the Li’l Irish, they will be without star middle linebacker Lucas Leone, who suffered a season-ending foot injury, and the talented Noah Collins-Howard is doubtful for the game with shoulder pain. As for the Knights, some serious questions may remain about star players William Dimarco ’25, John Harding ’24, Eoin Meyer ’24, and Zachary Couch ’25, yet, it is expected that all of these players will suit up for Friday night’s game.
Even with the injuries, it is safe to say that both teams are still extremely high-powered. The offenses are both led by very talented quarterbacks in Dimarco and Buttles. Both programs have solid running backs in Harding and Battle as well as wide receivers such as Paladino and Ernst. Looking at the trenches, McQuaid’s offensive and defensive line has a slight edge when it comes to size over the Aquinas front. Regarding special teams, the Knights hold a fairly significant advantage in the kicking game with Sansone.
Will it come down to another two-point conversion attempt at the end of regulation? Will it come down to a game winning field goal? Will it be a blowout for the Knights at home? Will the Irish shock Section V and take down the McQuaid Dynasty? We will see you at 7 p.m. at Tom Seymour Field for Section V’s game of the week!
