Cougars Left Frustrated After Mistake-Filled Defeat

As Priory lined up kick the ball off to Affton, nobody really knew what to expect. Each team was coming off a loss the previous week, and featured numerous young and untested players.

Priory and Affton only have two players returning from last year's varsity squad. This game's outcome eventually was determined by how Priory was able to capitalize on Affton’s multitude of errors for a 27-6 win.

"We had to fight for every yard. Some of the penalty calls I wasn't happy with, nor was I happy with the mental mistakes. We had two touchdowns that were called back,” Affton coach Dan Oliver said. “We didn't execute very well. Priory played their butts off tonight. But, I thought we played a lot better than what the final score shows.”

Priory senior kicker Andrew Rhodes sent the opening kickoff sailing deep into Affton territory. Unfortunately, the Cougars were unable to establish any offense and get the home crowd into the game, and soon they were forced to punt.

On Priory's first possession, 6-foot-3 junior quarterback David Nogalski led his team down the field all the way to the 5-yard line. Nogalski used a combination of running and passing plays and continued to get past the Cougars defense. From the 5-yard line, Priory’s offensive line pushed ahead to allow Nogalski to get into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.

And then mistakes and penalties started to become a factor. Affton QB Jonah Boyd took the first snap at his own 23-yard line, and bobbled the ball. Boyd tried to head upfield, but was immediately thrown for a 4-yard loss by Priory defensive linemen Andrew Wright and Brian Vaporean.

After two long runs by Affton's Dustin Rogers (transfer from Mitchell High School in Florida) and Demontay Patrick, Affton found themselves on Priory's 5-yard line, hungry for a touchdown.

However, on the very next play, Affton again mishandled the ball on a running play and Priory was able to recover the football. This mistake seemed to visibly take the air out of Affton.

At 9:42 of the second quarter, Affton seemed to have scored their first touchdown on a long carry by halfback Dustin Rogers. But, the score was erased as the referee had thrown a late flag on the play for holding. Head coach Dan Oliver argued briefly with the officials, but to no avail.

With about 7:30 to go, Affton's Demontay Patrick pushed through the strong Priory defense and made it down to the 1-yard line with Priory defenders hanging all over him. To the Cougars' dismay, QB Jonah Boyd fumbled the snap and Priory recovered the turnover on its 1-yard line.

This was the second time in the first half that Affton was denied a touchdown either by a mistake or a penalty.

At the end of the first half, both teams left the field with some shaking their heads in either frustration or anger. Both coaches had a challenge to get things back on track.

In the second half, Priory was not without its own share of costly mistakes and penalties. Affton kicked off and Priory's senior Seve Esperrago flew downfield to the Affton 27-yard line. On the next snap, Esperrago romped the next 27 yards into the end zone. But, the score was nullified on a Priory holding penalty.

Then a 35-yard TD pass to Andrew Wright was also nullified for holding, and the Rebels were forced to regroup at the 41. Following a sack by Affton sophomore middle linebacker Alex Gardner, the Cougars regained possession, but did not capitalize.

At 6:53 of the third quarter, Priory punted deep from their own end zone, giving the Cougars excellent field position at the 15. But they failed to move the ball.

Priory scored their second touchdown late in the 3rd quarter on a 36-yard pass play from Nogalski to Andrew Wright, extending their lead to 14-0.

Priory's new QB, sophomore Daniel Watson, entered the game in the third quarter. Watson had a 21-yard run run, followed by junior running back Thomas Raybuck's 11-yard run. Watson then scored from the 1.

Affton fumbled at its own 11 with under four minutes to go, and Priory junior defensive end Jack Mueller picked up the tumbling football and scored, making it 27-0 (the extra point failed).

Affton finally scored a TD with 45.9 seconds left on a sweep around the right side by senior receiver Connor McNeil.

Priory running back Thomas Raybuck ran for 100 yards, and Seve Esperrago added 73.

"We didn't play well the first half. But, the kids regained their composure and settled down in the second. We were able to capitalize on their (Affton's) mistakes. Granted, we made our own share of mistakes,” Priory coach Marty Combs said. “I'm very happy with the win. These kids showed me they can ‘adjust on the fly’. I'm happy because it’s best for the kids."