St. Mary's Advances On To Championship

ST. MARY'S MATT WILLIS pulls away from Mullen defenders in Saturday's semi-finals game in O'Neill

It has taken the better part of four month's to reach this point, but the hard days of conditioning in August and the hours of practice and games since the season has started, will all be on the line this Thursday. The St. Mary's Cardinals have earned their shot at a state championship title, the first since 1984.

The Cards earned their trip to Lincoln by beating a, 10-1, Mullen team 56-6.

The Cards first got on the board on a fourth down conversion pass from Mike Simons to Dan Haggerty with only 2:04 remaining in the first quarter.

Mullen's following drive ended in disaster, when on third down, the Bronco's pass attempt was picked up be Dan Haggerty. Haggerty ran the interception in for the touchdown to put the Cards up 12-0 going into the second quarter.

Mullen managed a mere 12 yards before punting the ball down to the Cards 26-yard line. Nine plays later, the Cards were knocking at Mullen's door at the 7-yard line. Jed Givens tan in St. Mary's third touchdown to give them an 18-point lead.

The Cards defense again came through, as Mike Simons broke up a pass attempt and intercepted it to give the Cards their second of three interceptions for the day. This turned the ball back to the offense. Jed Givens scored again and ran in touchdown number four for the Cards from the 18-yard line. Mike Simons ran in the first successful PAT of the day to put the Cards up, 26-0, with 6:02 left in the half.

Mullen's only touchdown of the game came with under a minute left in the half when Bronco's Steven Dent scored from the 15-yard line.

Mullen's touchdown was promptly retaliated by St. Mary's when Matt Willis exacted six points of revenge on the ensuing 69-yard kick off return to end the half with the Cards leading, 34-6.

The Cards scored on their first possession of the second half on a 21-yard run by Ryan Hickey. The extra point attempt by Jed Givens put the Cards up, 42-6. With less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Mike Simons hit Matt Willis on a 54-yard touchdown pass. The following PAT pass from Simons to Haggerty put the Cards up by 44 points, 50-6. The final nail in the coffin for Mullen came on a 44-yard touchdown by Ryan Hickey. This ended the game on the 45-point rule to give the Cards their final at-home victory of the season.

The Cards had 320 total offensive yards with 226 rushing and 94 passing.

Mike Simons completed six of nine passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Hickey had seven carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Dan Haggerty had one interception for a touchdown. Matt Willis had two receptions for 58 yards, one touchdown and a 69-yard kickoff return for one touchdown.

The St. Mary's Cardinals will advance to the state championship game in Lincoln at Memorial Stadium for an 11 a.m. match against Lindsay Holy Family.

ST. MARY'S DAN HAGGERTY AND another Cardinal defender play tough defense against a Mullen receiver.