Paraclete vs. LA Baptist

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Spirits disarm Knights; remain atop Olympic

Defense leads the way as Paraclete wins 33-3

Palmdale, CA – With fans and alumni on hand for Paraclete’s big homecoming game yesterday afternoon, added pressure was on the Spirits to deliver a big win. It didn’t take long for the home team to answer the call, as they built up a sizable lead and kept LA Baptist off the scoreboard for the majority of the contest.

Once again, the Spirits defense set the tone, as they held the Knights to 132 yards in total offense. Junior kicker Kyle Steffes paced Paraclete’s offense, connecting on four field goals, while the running game added the knockout punch.

After forcing the Knights to punt on their first series, Paraclete jumped on their first opportunity to score. Brandon Buteyn and Dante Donato would put the team in scoring position, but a botched play on third-and-goal forced the Spirits to setup for a 25-yard field goal. Steffes came in and nailed his first attempt with ease, as Paraclete went up 3-0 at 6:58 in the first quarter.

On the issuing kickoff, Steffes booted the ball to the Knights three-yard line. Spencer Tortorici took the kick and raced up the field only to be met by a host of Paraclete defenders, who caused him to fumble. Kyle Swanson pounced on the loose ball, setting up the Spirits with a first down on LA Baptist’s own 21-yard line.

Two plays later, Buteyn punched it in from four yards out, giving the Spirits a 10-0 lead.

After the kickoff, LAB started to gain some momentum. On the fifth play of their drive, Knights quarterback Daniel Owen made a rushed throw that found its way into the hands of Paraclete’s Cole Kaz. The Spirits cornerback return setup PHS with a first-and-ten at LA Baptist’s 32-yard line.

Paraclete would continue to move the ball, until a Gabe Martinez pass to Andrew DeLaRosa fell short of the first down marker. Head coach Norm Dahlia summoned Steffes again, who nailed a 30-yard field goal to make it 13-0.

The Spirits would force LA Baptist to go four and out on their following possession, which paved the way for their fourth consecutive scoring drive.

Some six minutes and 11 plays later, Paraclete failed to convert and third down situation, which opened the door for Steffes once again. From 30 yards out, the junior booted his third field goal to extend the lead to 16-0.

The Knights offensive woes continued, as they were forced to punt on their fourth consecutive possession.

Taking over on their own 47-yard line, Paraclete would get within striking distance eight plays later. The field goal unit would make its fourth appearance of the quarter, as the offense set them up with a 33-yard try. With under a minute left in the half, Steffes sailed a kick between the uprights to put the Spirits up 19-0.

The teams opened up the third quarter trading series, until the Knights Stephen Henderson connected on a 32-yard field goal at 2:34 to make it 19-3.

As time was closing out on the third stanza, the Knights looked to capitalize on a Spirits fumble. On the third play of their following drive, Owen dropped back in the pocket and fired off a pass. Spirits defensive end Lavonte Barnett deflected the ball at the line scrimmage, which sent it rolling off the back of Justin Vargas and into linebacker Todd Davis’ hands for the interception.

Paraclete’s offense would take the turnover and continue to march down the field well into the fourth quarter. Almost two and half minutes later, Martinez slammed past the goal line on a quarterback keeper from a yard out to push the Spirits ahead 26-3.

Late in the final frame, it appeared that the Knights offense finally found its rhythm. But just when things were looking up, LAB’s Owen found himself on the end of an errant snap. He tried to recover the loose ball, but the Spirits defense knocked it from his hands and ended up with the turnover.

After taking over at the 48-yard line, Paraclete got behind Buteyn and Vargas. The two would break off big runs to get PHS within striking distance for the final time. Buteyn added his second score of the night, when he scrambled from 14 yards out to put the game away at 33-3.

Buteyn would lead the Spirits on the ground, rushing for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Martinez finished 7 of 17 passing for 59 yards, with no interceptions and no touchdowns. DeLaRosa led all receivers with three catches for 21 yards.

For the Knights, DJ Tripoli was held to 27 yards on 13 carries. Owen ended up 9 of 19 passing for 106 yards and three interceptions. Tripoli was his top target, earning 104 yards on six receptions.

With the win, the Spirits improve to 5-3 overall, and 2-0 in the Olympic League. LA Baptist slides to 4-4 overall, and 0-2 in league play.

The Spirits return to action next Saturday, November 1st, as they travel to take on the Village Christian Crusaders in an Olympic League match up. The game is set to kickoff at 7:00pm, and will be played at Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, CA.