In its second season of varsity play, the Timberwolves arrived prepared.
Removed from a 55-21 loss a year ago, led to a lopsided victory after St. Pius X fell behind 39-0 and eventually loss 53-6 to Beaumont United on Friday night at Kubiak Stadium.
The win avenged a 55-21 loss in last season’s opener.
The Timberwolves (1-0) scored touchdowns on its first three possessions of the game with addition cornerback Chandler Rivers’ pic six to build a 29-0 lead, which left 8:57 remaining in the second quarter and led 39-0 at intermission.
After the Timberwolves’ second scoring drive, sophomore cornerback Chandler Rivers, who played exceptionally well throughout the game, intercepted Panthers quarterback Rogers and returned the ball 16 yards to the end zone. That increased the lead, 22-0, with 6:34 to go in the first quarter.
Tailback James Wilson, who led all rushers with 132 yards, started the Timberwolves’ end zone celebration, scoring three touchdowns on runs of four, five, and eight-yards. Receiver Abdel Qaiyyim III had an 86-yard touchdown reception; tailback Jaydon Manuel scored on a 36-yard scoring run, receiver Jalen Weaver scored on a six-yard reception from junior quarterback Bradley Thomas, defensive back Rivers returned a pick-six. Kicker Mario Loza added a 27-yard field goal in the second half.
The defensive clinic led by Beaumont United left the Panthers (0-1) clawing for answers. Defensive tackles Dorian Leblanc and Jakevian Wilson and Rivers ambushed the Panthers offense, sacking junior quarterback Carson Rodgers three times, and accounted for several other tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
St. Plus X struggled most of the evening. It changed quarterbacks, searching for a spark in senior Cameron Mckeon with 1:03 left in the first quarter. But the Panthers came away empty. A considerable part of it’s undoing mounted after several dropped passes.
Attempting to maintain tabs on several athletes became overwhelming for the Panthers. Burrell, Rivers, Qaiyyim, and Wilson, to name a few, proved to be a hand full.
The Panthers avoided the shutout when Rogers spotted junior receiver Ricky Thomas, Jr. for an 18-yard touchdown reception with 1:30 left in the third quarter.