Shamrocks start season with a bang

The Vestaburg Wolverines visited Portland to take on the Portland St. Patrick Shamrocks on the gridiron. The Shamrocks had a ton of questions coming into the game, but the players stepped up and dominated the game, winning 50-0.

In the first quarter, the Shamrocks forced a quick three an out, and took the ball down the field capping the drive with a Lucas Simon 4 yard touchdown run. Placeholder Brady Leonard threw for the two point conversion making the score 8-0. After another three and out, the Shamrocks again marched down the field, scoring on a Payton Russman 5 yard touchdown run. Brady Leonard again completed the two point conversion. The Shamrocks were able to make another march before the end of the first, capping off a drive with a 12 yard pass completion from Brayden Simon to Payton Russman. Tyler Groothuis added the extra point to make the score 23-0 after one quarter of play.

The second quarter was more Shamrock dominance, with the Shamrock defense stifling the Wolverines and the offense marching down the field at will. St. Patrick added to the board with a 31 yard pass from Brayden Simon to Tyler Groothuis, and a failed two point conversion. Lucas Simon scampered free for a 20 yard touchdown, and Tyler Groothuis made the extra point on the next series. The Shamrock underclassmen took the field defensively for the last two possessions, and shut down the Vestaburg offense, capping the quarter with a Brady Leonard interception return, and Tyler Groothuis extra point, making the score 43-0 at halftime.

The Shamrocks played conservative offensively, and continued to shutdown the Vestaburg offense, leading to a scoreless third quarter.

St. Patrick capped off the night when freshmen Hudson King caught a 7 yard touchdown from Brayden Simon, and Tyler Groothuis put it through the uprights to make the final 50-0.

Offensive leaders for the Shamrocks were Brayden Simon who went 12 for 15, with 3 touchdowns. Payton Russman carried the ball 8 times for 71 yards and a touchdown and made 3 catches for 51 yards and another touchdown. Lucas Simon carried the ball 9 times for 45 yards and a touchdown and had 2 catches for 18 yards. Tyler Groothuis had 2 catches for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Defensive leaders were myriad, as the Shamrocks stymied the Wolverines, holding them to -3 yards of rushing, and only 38 yards of total offense and two first downs. Brayden Simon had 10 tackles, and 2 tackles for loss (TFL), Riley Mosser had 5 tackles and 2 TFL. Aiden Mosser had 5 tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL. 17 players on the Shamrock defense had tackles.

The Shamrocks travel to Coleman to take on the Comets, on Thursday, September 1st at 7:00 pm.

Photo by Lindsey Bos.