Pensacola Catholic scores 4 TDs in 2nd quarter, wins 41-22

Pensacola Catholic spoiled Northview’s homecoming as the Crusaders rolled to a 41-22 victory tonight.

The Crusaders scored four touchdowns in the second quarter with the help of two special teams turnovers by the Chiefs. PCHS, a Class 3A school, led 35-6 at halftime.

Northview put together a stellar opening drive, draining 10 minutes, 35 seconds off the clock to score the opening touchdown. Sophomore running back Trent Peebles, who got the opening drive going, scored from 2 yards. The extra point wasn’t any good.

“I thought we had a great first drive,” NHS head football coach Derek Marshman said.

PCHS didn’t waste any time putting a touchdown on the clock and answered with a 5-yard touchdown rush from junior running back Christian Murphy to help the Crusaders take a lead they’d never give up.

The Chiefs’ fumbled punt (at 9:22 in the second) gave the Crusaders another chance at a score when Abram Smiley smiled his way in 9 yards less than 2 minutes later.

After Northview’s second turnover, PCHS answered when Garrett Foley found Bryce Yates for a 44-yard touchdown pass with 5:36 left in the first half.

The Crusaders added two more touchdowns in the last 1:01 of the first half — a 44 and 48-yard pass from Foley to Jakobi Jackson.

To start the third quarter, PCHS scored its last touchdown of the game after a Deterius Gideon marched 36 yards with 11:12 left, forcing the clock to run the rest of the game.

Northview found some life left in the game after Daniel Merit recovered fumble and ran it back 30 yards for a score with around 3:30 left in the third quarter.

The Chiefs didn’t give up as Jayden Jackson, a freshman, punched it in 3 yards with 3:56 left in the fourth. Jackson, earlier in the drive, carried a mass of PCHS defenders around 10 yards for a good gain.

Marshman said he thought the boys drove the ball well.

“I thought we dominated up front,” he said. “That was the first time we ran the offense well.”

Marshman said there are some things they need to iron out, but the team will have time as it has a bye week next week before having a home game against Baker.