Ninth ranked Saint Xavier University traveled to Lake Wales, Florida for a non-conference match up against Webber International on Saturday, September 17. The Cougars could not overcome five turnovers in a tough 36-31 loss, dropping their record to 2-2 (1-0) on the season.
With senior quarterback John Rhode injured, freshman Alex Martinez was tasked with leading the way under center for the Cougars. The Saint Laurence product played well to keep his team in the contest, however, his three interceptions proved to be costly.
Martinez finished the afternoon 21-39 passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns to go along with his three picks. A healthy running attack took much of the pressure off Martinez’s arm, as freshman running back Jamarri Watson continues to impress his coaches and teammates.
Watson led the Cougars backfield with 20 carries, 80 yards and one touchdown, while averaging four yards per rush. A healthy implementation of Stephen Simms and Mike Ivlow helped ease the load for Watson, as the two combined for 69 yards on the ground.
The Cougars signal caller, Alex Martinez, developed a healthy repertoire with senior wide out Stephen Simms on the afternoon as all three of the freshman’s touchdown passes found Simms. Simms finished with six catches for 59 yards and three scores.
Despite impressive performances by several Saint Xavier players, Webber did just enough to knock off the top-10 seeded Cougars.
The game started sloppy for Saint Xavier on offense. A Cougars fumble on the first possession of the game resulted in favorable field position for the Webber Warriors. The Cougars did well to hold their opponent to just three points, but their offense stalled after a quick three-and-out on the following offensive series.
After Saint Xavier’s defense forced a punt, Webber made a break on an Alex Martinez pass and returned the interception for a touchdown. An ugly first quarter ended with the Cougars trailing 10-0.
Late in the second quarter, Martinez rebounded from a shaky start with an impressive 14 play, 85 yard touchdown drive that ended with Simms celebrating with his teammates in the end zone. With momentum looking to be swaying toward Saint Xavier, Webber answered quickly with a touchdown of their own to increase their lead to 17-7.
The Cougars had enough time before the half to cut the lead to one score and Martinez took advantage. A methodical 8 play, 52 yard drive that took 2:14 ended with a nine yard touchdown pass from Martinez to Simms. The two teams went into halftime with the score favoring Webber, 17-14.
To this point, Saint Xavier managed to keep the game close after four first-half turnovers. However, turnovers ended up being the underlying difference on the afternoon.
With the score tied at 24 as the fourth quarter began, it looked as though the team who made the least amount of mistakes would come away with a hard-fought victory. At the nine minute mark of the final quarter, Eli Jackson of Webber International picked off an Alex Martinez throw and took it 54 yards to the house for a gut-wrenching score.
The tide swung totally in favor of the Warriors after that possession, as they were able to eventually put together an eight play, 73 yard touchdown drive that acted as a figurative dagger. With the score sitting at 36-24 with limited time remaining, the Cougars needed plenty of help to be able to complete an improbable comeback.
Saint Xavier made it interesting, as Jamarri Watson capped a seven play, 57 yard drive with a touchdown to put the Cougars within one score. However, time ultimately ran out on the ninth overall team in the country and they were forced to gulp down a crushing defeat.
The Cougars return from Florida this week only to travel to Adrian, Michigan Saturday, September 24 to take on Siena Heights University at 5:00 pm.
Mike Rankin
Senior Sports Editor