ADRIAN, Mich. -- The 20th-ranked Siena Heights football team steamrolled Trinity International 63-2 to begin the season with a 4-0 record. The Saints broke multiple team and individual records, the first of which was a 95-yard rush from scrimmage by Kaleb Jefferson (Columbus, Ohio) in the first quarter.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Siena Heights 63, Trinity International 2
Location: Adrian, Mich. (O'Laughlin Stadium)
Records: Siena Heights (4-0), Trinity International (1-4)
RECORDS BROKEN
Team Records
• Most team rushing yards - 437
• Most rushing touchdowns scored - 6
• Tied for most interceptions in a game - 3
• Most touchdowns scored - 9
• Highest average yards-per-play - 9.9
• Most points scored - 63
Individual Records
• Longest run from scrimmage - 95 yards
• Most rushing yards in a game - 200
• Tied for most rushing touchdowns in a game - 3
Ethan LoPresto (Montgomery, Mich.)
• Highest average yards-per-carry - 13.9
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Saints jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead after they drove the ball 75 yards on 12 plays in the team's first possession of the game. Jefferson put the ball in the endzone with a three-yard rush to seal the drive. The lead moved to 14-0 on SHU's very next offensive play when Jefferson completed his record-breaking 95-yard scamper with 5:13 remaining in the opening quarter. On the very next play from scrimmage, Kole Murlin (Celina, Ohio) picked off Trojan quarterback Krenston Kaipo and returned it 25-yards for a Saint touchdown to give Siena the 21-0 advantage.
The next score came in the second quarter when Jefferson capped a nine-play, 89-yard drive with a one-yard plunge to score and put the Saints up 28-0. Tyler Knecht (King Mills, Ohio) completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Stallard (Fredericktown, Ohio) on the next SHU drive, putting the score at 35-0 with 5:55 remaining in the first half. Knecht would score again before halftime with a one-yard keeper with 1:45 remaining to increase the Saint lead to 42 points.
LoPresto dashed for a 60-yard touchdown run in the first play of the second half to put Siena in front 49-0. He would score again from 42 yards out to finish the next Saint drive of three-plays, 78-yards for a 56-0 difference on the scoreboard.
Curtis Martin (Detroit, Mich.) took an interception back for a 30-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to extend the Siena Heights lead to 63-0. On the next TIU drive, Marquis Robinson (River Rouge, Mich.) snags an interception in the endzone and returns it for 50-yards. However, an illegal block on the return in the endzone causing a Siena Heights safety and Trinity International gains two points to cut the SHU lead to 61 points (63-2).
TOP SAINTS
Offense
• Jefferson finished with 200 rushing yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns. He averaged 11.1 yards-per-carry in the contest.
• LoPresto had 194 rushing yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. He averaged 13.9 yards-per-carry.
• Knecht finished 8-10 in the air for 130 yards and both a passing and rushing touchdown on the day.
• DaWan Smith II (Battle Creek, Mich.) led with 64 receiving yards on three catches.
Defense
• Murlin led the Saint defense with 11 tackles. He also hauled in the one interception that he returned 25 yards for a score.
• Griffin Sobol (Morris, Ill.) and Nick Stalworth (Clarkston, Mich.) each finished with six tackles. Sobol registered a half-sack and half a tackle for loss.
• Robinson added two tackles to his stat line with his interception.
• Martin had a tackle to go along with his interception.
Special Teams
• Anthony Secchi (Sterling Heights, Mich.) was a perfect 7-7 in extra points.
• Caleb Meister (Toledo, Ohio) punted three times for 154 yards.
• ShaMarr Simmons (Maple Heights, Ohio) was all over the field on special teams as he totaled five tackles on kickoffs for the afternoon.
THE OPPOSITION
Offense
• Henderson was 25-38 for 193 yards through the air for the Trojans.
• Nicolas Godfrey led the TIU receivers with three catches for 79 yards.
• Jeremiah Vaughn hauled in six catches for 70 yards.
Defense
• Lorenzano Blakeney led the team with seven tackles.
• Josh Burck totaled six tackles.
• Cyrus Taylor, Vakarvery Scott, and Courtney McLean each finished with five tackles.
Special Teams
• Marc Wallace returned seven kickoffs for 130 yards.
UP NEXT
The Saints travel to Ann Arbor next week to face #5 Concordia (Mich.). The game will be the first MSFA Mideast game for Siena Heights. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., EST.
