Saint Stephen's beaten by undefeated opponent

BRADENTON - As frustrated as Saint Stephen's football coach Matt Kitchie was with his team following Friday's game, there was another factor that may have been even more bothersome to the Falcons' leader.

After back-to-back record- setting wins the past two weeks, Saint Stephen's (3-2) stumbled during its homecoming game at Turner Field when undefeated Brooksville Hernando Christian (5-0) departed with an 18-7 triumph.

The Falcons were well positioned for a majority of the visiting Lions' offensive plays, but Hernando Christian consistently managed to gain yardage and, defensively, forced four turnovers.

A major contributing factor was the size and strength of Hernando Christian's offensive and defensive lines that matched up well against Saint Stephen's.

"We just couldn't get anything going today ... we made mistakes," Kitchie said.

"They stuffed us on the run (usually a Falcons strength). A lot of our kids didn't execute.

"We had them game-planned well. But, they had kids who kept making plays and we didn't. They had some big, strong kids on both sides of the ball, and they got the job done."

Saint Stephen's senior quarterback Logan Zoller opened the scoring late in the first quarter when he went in from the 2-yard line and Matthew Unzicker booted the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

The Lions made it 7-6 by halftime when quarterback David Rotteveel connected with receiver Ian Townsend for a 25-yard touchdown before the same combination hooked up again midway through the third quarter to give Hernando Christian a 12-7 lead.

Then, with 3:01 left in the game, Lion running back Jeremy Knight sprinted toward the Saint Stephen's bench and then darted up the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown that put the game out of reach.

Saint Stephen's finished with 136 rushing yards on 34 carries.

That effort was led by Zoller's 45 yards, 42 from Sam Mire and Cam Ayla's 39.

Zoller was 7-of-18 passing, but had two late interceptions.

Friday was the beginning of a three-game homestand for Saint Stephen's as it competes in its third overall season and second of varsity play before entering district competition in 2009.

The Falcons host Tampa Carrollwood Day next Friday.