Three touchdowns by Ryder Stone catapulted Holy Trinity Academy to a convincing 40-2 win over the Springbank Phoenix in the Knights’ home opener on Sept. 10.
In their final tune-up for the Big Rock Football League season the Knights doused the Phoenix in convincing fashion with an aerial attack featuring Stone and quarterback Ryan Hassler.
Stone admitted the Knights felt his speed would be too much for Springbank and it proved true.
“We didn’t really try and run the ball because we were getting some big plays through the air,” he said. “We were not sure what to expect from Springbank and we didn’t want to give too much away.”
When Stone said he didn’t want to give away too much he was referring to what is the biggest game of the season on Friday, Sept. 16 when the Knights visit their crosstown rival Foothills Composite Falcons.
The match will open the inaugural Big Rock Football League season and it could not be more fitting as the two Okotoks schools have developed an intense rivalry.
In last week’s win over Springbank the Knights did not lean on their running game, but they did showcase what could be a powerful aerial attack.
The Knights opened the scoring on the first play of the game when Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) safety Brandon Bellman returned the kick-off 75 yards for a touchdown.
HTA’s defence then set up the second major when they recorded back-to-back sacks by Jadon Schneider and Peter Hillman to force Springbank to punt on third and 30.
The Knights took advantage of a short field and an impressive one-handed grab by receiver William Barrett at the Phoenix one-yard line. Hassler punched it in and Okotoks took a 13-0 lead.
HTA went up 19-0 when Hassler found Stone wide open streaking down the left sidelines and hit him in stride for an 80-yard score.
Schneider put the game away when he picked off Springbank quarterback Levi Jackson and returned it 40 yards for the score and a 26-0 lead.
Stone scored his second major of the game on what was almost a carbon copy of his first, but this time it was down the seam for 55 yards.
He notched his third on defence when he stepped in front of a Jackson pass in the right flat and scampered 60 yards untouched for the pick-six and a 40-0 HTA advantage.
The only points the Knights surrendered was a safety in the third quarter.
Knights’ head coach Matt Hassett said he was pleased with the win, but despite the lopsided score it showed there are some things the team needs to work on, especially with HTA’s running attack.
“We were okay at times, but there are some things we need to work out on offence,” he said. “We didn’t run the ball, but our passing game was pretty good.”
Defensively, the Knights pitched a shutout and Hassett said that is what he expects from a veteran defence anchored by Schneider, Hillman and Bellman.
“We have a veteran defence and it showed,” said Hassett. “We need to be a little more aggressive, we were a little passive. Once we start stepping up and being aggressive we will be good.”
With two exhibition games in their belt, the Knights, ranked sixth in Tier II in the province, will open the regular season across the river at Foothills Composite against the eighth ranked Falcons. Game time is 7 p.m. at Foothills Composite High School.
