Bigger. Faster. Stronger.
That’s how the Festus football team has been rebuilt under first-year head coach A.J. Ofodile.
After a 41-13 win at Ste. Genevieve the first week of the season, the Tigers shrugged off an early pick-six by their quarterback Cole Rickermann and wore down visiting Sullivan 42-13 on Friday night to improve to 2-0. Festus scored the last 28 points and held the Eagles scoreless in the second half.
Senior defensive tackle Desmond Davis isn’t even on the roster that was handed out to fans for the game against Sullivan, but the Eagles had No. 99 crashing through their offensive line of scrimmage and taking snaps from the Wildcat formation in short-yardage situations. Davis transferred from Caruthersville this school year.
But the biggest difference-maker on the field was Festus senior running back Austin Anderson, who had touchdown runs of 24 and 63 yards. On Anderson’s second TD run, he stepped out of a tackle attempt by Sullivan’s Jon Krygiel at the Eagles’ 20 and burst his way into the end zone. Krygiel was injured on the play, helped to the sidelines and didn’t play again.
Sophomore kicker Stephen Darden made all six extra points.
With the Tigers leading 14-13 late in the first half, Rickermann found senior wide receiver Daylen Wagoner with a 21-yard touchdown pass. On the drive, Festus faced third-and-35 and Rickermann completed a 34-yard pass to senior Collin Doyel. On fourth-and-1, Davis pushed his way through defenders for a 23-yard gain. Davis couldn’t handle a low snap with the Tigers inside the 5 and lost 18 yards. But Rickermann fired the TD pass to Wagoner on the next play.
Senior Cayse Martin’s interception was the final play of the first half and stopped a Sullivan drive.
Festus kicks off its Mississippi Area Football Conference Red Division schedule at Windsor next Friday (Sept. 11).
For the full story, read Thursday’s Leader.
Festus 42, Sullivan 13
Sullivan 7 6 0 0 – 13
Festus 7 14 21 0 – 42
First Quarter
S: Dillon Farrell 60 interception return (kick good), 8:46
F: Isaac Stucke 17 pass from Cole Rickermann (Stephen Darden kick), 6:46
Second Quarter
F: Austin Anderson 24 run (Darden kick), 7:22
S: Alex Goly 28 run (run failed), 4:41
F: Daylen Wagoner 21 pass from Rickermann (Darden kick), 1:34
Third Quarter
F: Dalen Yates 5 run (Darden kick), 5:20
F: Anderson 63 run (Darden kick), 3:06
F: Kalan Roberts-Day 64 pass from Rickermann (Darden kick), 1:06