Spirit Week is arguably the best time of year for Good Counsel. Whether it is the dress-up themes, Battle of the Classes, Pep Rally, or the Homecoming dance, the week is filled with GC school spirit. All these events are equally great, but there is none like the Homecoming Football game. The amazing atmosphere and energy we give to this game are extraordinary. Before the game, I asked two players on the team what their pre-game thoughts were.

The first player I spoke to was Wide Receiver Spencer Jones, 23′ who told me his thoughts were to get his energy and intensity up, focus on his assignments and have the confidence that the man across from him can not stop him. The second player I spoke with was Defensive Linemen Gerald Williams, 23′ who told me “winning waits for no man.” In addition to getting the players’ thoughts, I emailed Coach Stefanelli ’83 and asked him what this game means to him. He told me it was a huge game due to several factors, such as: having the biggest crowd all year, being the first chance for a large contingent of Alumni to see the team and the fact that it is a game between two Xaverian Sponsored schools.

These beliefs were apparent on the field as the Falcons started the game hot with a 14-0 lead in the first quarter after QB Frankie Weaver ’24 (#10) threw two TD passes to WRs Taylor Worch ’23 (#18) and Elijah Pedro ’25 (#9). Through the first quarter, everything was clicking. The offense was good, the defense was good, and the special teams were terrific, with some huge punt returns from Judah Jenkins ’24 (#3) to get the offense in good field position to score. As the quarter went on, GC kept control of the game. This game looked one-sided until St Mary’s Ryken made a huge play to shift the game’s direction. Late in the first quarter, as GC was punting the ball off after a failed 3rd down conversion, the punt was blocked! This play gave St. Mary’s Ryken a good field position to score a touchdown and make it a one-score game 14-6. After this play, things started to slow down for GC as their offense had to punt a couple of times, but their defense remained strong, maintaining the lead. 

The Falcon offense eventually shook off the failed drives in the middle of the second quarter and extended the lead with a touchdown making it 21-6. The Falcon defense shut down the Ryken offense all game, so Ryken called a timeout and made adjustments. Out of the timeout, St. Mary’s Ryken looked like a new team driving down and scoring a touchdown with two minutes left in the half, making, once again, a one-score game of 21-13. Although Ryken was gaining momentum, little did they know that would be their last competitive moment of the game as the Falcons poured it on in the proceeding minutes. The Falcon’s offense drove down the field and kicked a field goal making it 24-13. After this, the Falcon defense, who had been light up to this point, gave the offense the ball back, and with four seconds left in the half, GC ran the ball 40 yards for a crazy touchdown to end with a two-point conversion at the half making it 32-13. The Falcons kept their foot on the gas out of the halftime break, shutting Ryken’s offense down drive after drive. GC ended the game, only scoring one more touchdown making the final score 39-13.

The Falcons moved on to 3-1 after beating what Coach Stefanelli described as a “very good” St. Mary’s Ryken team beating teams like Bishop McNamara. This game was a great showing from all factions of GC’s team. The passing offense made huge plays when needed, and the run game was dominant all game, with Dilin Jones ’24 (#7) running through the Ryken defense with great run blocking from the offensive line. The defense was shut down, from the defensive line applying pressure and stopping the run to the secondary covering the field and making plays. Now on to Life Christain Academy. GO FALCONS!