The Jr. Bills (2-1) brought their record to over .500 this past week with a 63-12 landslide victory over the Normandy Vikings, the fifth most points scored by the Bills in school history.

SLUH didn’t waste any time lighting up the scoreboard against their Class 4 foe last Friday night. They put up an astonishing 42 points in the first quarter of play. 

Senior Derrick Baker finished the first two drives with rushing touchdowns to get the momentum rolling, and then senior Luke Johnston joined in on the fun.  Johnston was responsible for the Jr. Bills’ next three scores, and sophomore Ryan Wingo capped off the quarter with a 40-yard touchdown run to make it a 42-0 game. 

The defense played just as relentlessly, forcing punts or turnovers on every first half Vikings possession. Senior Tommy Etling notched the defense’s first score of the season, a 24 yard scoop ‘n score touchdown which made it 49-0.

Sophomores JJ Brandon, Archie Carruthers, and Jacoby Oliphant all secured their first interceptions of the season as well. Each player was able to tout the coveted SLUH turnover chain this past week. 

The Jr. Bills used the big lead to give second and third string guys the opportunity to see the field and prove themselves. 

Some just relished the fact that they were between the white lines for a varsity football game, but others jumped on this opportunity before them. 

Sophomore backup quarterback Marco Sansone was able to do both in his time at the helm of the offense.

“It was a great moment,” he said. “I was just really happy to be out there.”

Sansone worked through his initial nerves to produce an impactful stat line of 44 yards on 6 for 8 passing and two carries for 10 yards on the ground, and recorded both a rushing and passing touchdown along the way. 

His passing touchdown was caught for a 9-yard score by freshman tight end Landon Pace, the lone freshman on the varsity team. 

Pace admitted that he let the nerves get the best of him and messed up the first couple of plays, but he was able to bounce back and connect with Sansone for a “really easy touchdown,” he remarked. 

“I was very excited when people were cheering me on even when it was 42-0,” said Pace of his first varsity catch. 

The players, especially the backups and JV players, were still laser focused on the game, eager to make a name for themselves. At the same time, they were just glad to be there. 

“It was a great time being out there with all of  my teammates cheering me on and getting to take in all the emotions of being in a varsity game … (that had) more meaning and a sense of excitement,” said sophomore Grant Jaycox.

Tonight, SLUH will look to refocus the attention back to their starting core, as they face off against arguably their toughest opponent of the year, MCC rival CBC. 

The Jr. Bills haven’t beaten the Cadets since 2005, a 16-year spell the Billikens believe they can snap this week. 

“The team is pumped. There’s nothing better than playing an MCC rivalry game on your own field,” said Johnston. 

While this is the first time SLUH has emerged as a true underdog this season, the team is confident in the group of guys they have to make some unexpected noise on Friday night. 

“We really think if we execute and play hard we will be happy with the result,” said Johnston.