MICDS Stays Unbeaten With Big Win Over Principia

For about a quarter, the fourth-ranked team in Missouri Class 3, the MICDS Rams, were getting all they could handle from the host Principia Panthers on Saturday afternoon at John Jamerson Stadium.

But then the unbeaten state-title contender Rams showed just why they are regarded so highly, scoring five consecutive touchdowns to turn an early tight battle into an eventual 48-20 romp over the overmatched and outmanned Panthers.

“The main thing is, we’re just trying to get through this part of the season healthy,” MICDS head coach Josh Smith said. “We feel good about how we played. But we want it a little sharper. We came out a little flat.”

One reason for the slow MICDS start could be attributed to the inspired play of Principia.

The Panthers (0-5) came into the matchup without a win, but seemed convinced they might be able to get their first in Saturday’s home showdown.

“I’m very happy with our guys,” Principia coach Brad Warrick said. “We knew going in that playing against this kind of team, we had to play our very best football. And that’s what we concentrated on. Not what kind of team we were playing, but what it was going to take to win today.”

MICDS got on the board first on a 69-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Thomas Militello to senior wideout Foster Bundy.

But Principia answered right back with a long scoring drive that was capped off by a 15-yard touchdown run by senior Curtis Atkins.

The Panthers missed the PAT, but midway through the first quarter the score was 7-6, and the home team had some fans believing it might be time for an upset alert.

“I thought Principia did a nice job, especially on that first series,” Smith said. “They just lined up and hit us hard. I give them credit. They didn’t back down. They played us hard. And that’s good. Our kids needed to see that there are no off weeks at our level.”

MICDS responded to Principia’s challenge though, by showing its dominance over the next two quarters.

The Rams scored three times in the second quarter, and twice more in the third, to turn Saturday’s contest into a bit of a blowout.

Senior wideout Jack Howell was a key factor in that, scoring on a 13-yard pass and a brilliant 48-yard catch and run, both from Militello, to lead MICDS’ mid-game blitz over the Panthers.

Militello finished the day with 203 passing yards and three touchdowns, as the Rams improved to 5-0 on the season.

MICDS’s top star, 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior running back/linebacker Michael Scherer, didn’t play on Saturday.

Smith said Scherer, a top-notch collegiate recruit who gave a verbal commitment to Mizzou over the summer, was not injured, but was just still “sore” after last week’s hard-fought win over Jefferson City Helias.

Both MICDS and Principia will be back in action next Saturday.

MICDS will be back at home, hosting Priory at 2 p.m., while Principia will be at Lutheran North next week, in a 1 p.m. contest.

Scoring Summary

Score by Quarters

F

MICDS

14

21

7

6

48

Principia

6

0

0

14

20

First Quarter

M: Foster Bundy 69 yd pass from Thomas Militello (Foster Bundy kick), 11:43

P: Curtis Atkins 15 yd run (kick failed), 8:43

M: Denzell Conway 2 yd run (Foster Bundy kick), 2:22

Second Quarter

M: A.J. Washington 17 yd run (Foster Bundy kick)

M: Jack Howell 13 yd pass from Thomas Militello (Foster Bundy kick)

M: Jack Howell 48 yd pass from Thomas Militello (Foster Bundy kick), 3:14

Third Quarter

M: A.J. Washington 79 yd run (Foster Bundy kick)

Fourth Quarter

P: Curtis Atkins 9 yd run (Garrett Moulton kick), 5:50

M: Denzell Conway 73 yd pass from Jack Rouse (kick failed)

P: Isaiah Laster 35 yd run (Garrett Moulton kick)