Saints Deliver 21-6 Loss To Huguenot
In 2025 there will be three meetings of Central Region schools versus private schools. This meeting between the Saints and the Falcons was the first. If this one was any indication of what the next two will look like, Matoaca and Glen Allen are in trouble.
The Saints didn’t do anything mind blowing but they executed when it counted the most. The Saints made two trips to the red zone and made it count with two scores. Those scores came in the second half after the Saints took the lead early with a pick-six. That was one of two interceptions thrown by the first-year starter Charles Scott, Jr. and it proved costly.
Scott looked every bit the first-year starter after splitting time with Linwood Johnson last season. The Falcons reached the red zone 5 times and only scored once. Red zone efficiency and turnovers were costly for Huguenot.
Huguenot also struggled against the pressure brought on by the Saints defense who got to Scott with five sacks. It was not the debut that the Falcons hoped for in 2025 but it was just the start the Saints needed if they are to compete against Trinity and Benedictine this season for a title.
MJ Crocker and Darius Gray were dominant on defense with 9 tackles each and a combined three sacks. Charlie Edmonds didn’t fare so bad either with 6 tackles of his own and a sack. Meanwhile on offense the Saints were led by Chase Roberts who put up 119 yards of offense and Aiden White who finished with a modest 49 yards and a score.
This outcome leaves us with more questions about both teams as the season unfolds.
1st Quarter Highlights
The first quarter was anything but pretty for the Huguenot Falcons. Huguenot drew yellow (flags) 4 times on their first possession alone. If that were not bad enough the ball was mishandled on a snap and what could have been disaster was averted by Charles Scott, Jr. falling on the loose ball.
While the Falcons averted that disaster, disaster still struck on the next drive. The run game was beginning to pick up steam behind Markel Dabney. A big time throw to Iveon Lewis coupled with a roughing the passer call had the Falcons moving down field. That is until Charles Scott, Jr. was picked off by Elijah Brandon who made the 95-yard house call.
Sandwiched between these Huguenot possessions was a St. Chris series taht was 4 & out with just 4 yards to show for.
Huguenot again appeared to have something going. The run game again proved to be the path down the field with Markel Dabney & Randal Robinson leading the way. The Falcons were sitting pretty at 4th & 1 until they got flagged for a false start. Instead of being at the 5 they were at the 10. Scott locked in on his guy and caught Najarn Bostic in motion and while a great catch, the ruling was out of bounds in the back of the end zone.
2nd Quarter Highlights
Instead of tying the Saints, the Falcons would turn the ball over on downs.
As the second quarter took shape, it became a quarter not to be remembered.
Both teams had penalties with Huguenot flagged three times and the Saints once. Penalties hurt any drive.
The Falcons had the ball twice and turned it over on downs both time. The Falcons lack of a kicking game putting them in a tough spot. The Saints fared no better as they would punt.
Neither team had much to show for on offense, this matchup was about defense and trench warfare.
3rd Quarter Highlights
If the second quarter were forgettable, the third quarter was anything but.
The Saints got things cooking when Chase Roberts hit Jaerron Johnson on what looked like a 69-yard touchdown. Johnson, however, stepped out of bounds along the sideline but it did not slow the Saints down. Two plays later the big man Darius Gray was punching it in. The first offensive touchdown of the night for either team had given the Saints a 14-0 lead.
The Falcons left us scratching our heads when the Saints forced a three and out but instead of punting, the Falcons faked it. The head scratcher was that they did so from their own 33. When the Falcons weren’t able to convert, the Saints had the ball at the Huguenot 28!
That was all St. Chris needed. In 4 plays the the Saints covered 28 yards with Aiden White carrying in from 6 yards out for another Saints score. Just like that the Saints had a 21-0 lead.
Huguenot finally showed semblance of the Falcons we are accustomed to when they put together a 67-yard drive that only took 7 plays to executive. On this drive Malik Porter and Iveon Lewis who had largely been non-factors in the game were involved. Markel Dabney, however, was the one to punch it in for the Falcons. Down 21-6 to the Saints, Huguenot chose to go for a 2-point conversion but the ball was fumbled and never stood a chance.
4th Quarter Highlights
As wild as the third quarter proved to be, it was a quiet ending with both teams exchanging three and outs.
That carried over into the fourth where that momentum St. Chris had in the third quarter was extinguished. Meanwhile Huguenot looked like they might be mounting a comeback.
After holding St. Chris to a 3 & out the Falcons moved the ball in two plays 42 yards to 9-yard line of St. Chris. The 8-yard line, however, would be as close as the Falcons would get to scoring. Three incompletions saw the Falcons turnover on down.
The Falcons would never get any closer. Their next possession would see Charles Scott, Jr. intercepted for a second time, this time by Collin Johnson. The Saints were never a threat the rest of the way either but leading 21-6 and Huguenot unable to get any closer, they really didn’t have to.
St. Christopher’s 21, Huguenot 6 – Scoring Chart
| Time | Play | Score |
| 1Q – 3:06 | Elijah Brandon 95-yard pick-six. William Sterling PAT. | 7-0 St. Christopher’s |
| 3Q – 11:16 | Darius Gray 3-yard run. William Sterling PAT. | 14-0 St. Christopher’s |
| 3Q – 8:18 | Aiden White 6-yard run. William Sterling PAT. | 21-0 St. Christopher’s |
| 3Q – 4:35 | Markel Dabney 4-yard run. 2-pt conversion fumbled. | 6-21 Huguenot |
Players of the Game
For St. Christopher’s it should come as no surprise that it would be the big man, Darius Gray. Darius was a big reason the Falcons were unable to get more points on the board as he had 9 tackles and 2 sacks. The surprise is that Gray scored a TD on the ground as well.
As for Huguenot where do you go? Defense did not play great giving up 21 points and the offense struggled. That said, the flashes on offense came on the ground from Michigan commit Markel Dabney who scored the lone TD of the game. By nights end Markel had rushed for 74 yards off of 12 carries.
Post Game Nuggets
Huguenot falls to 3-6 all-time versus private schools.
This was just the second regular season loss for Coach Scott at Huguenot.
Going back to last season Huguenot has been outscored 6-47 in last two games.
Next Up…
Huguenot’s next date is on the road at Clover Hill who is coming off a 60-0 loss to Meadowbrook.