CElEbRAtiNG LEGAciES - St. Pius X Catholic High School

The team’s next challenge would be another home playoff game,
this time versus North Hall. A physical game ensued with the
Golden Lions prevailing 17-3 behind two rushing touchdowns
from Moon. The defense would allow just three first downs and
167 yards against a Trojan team that had averaged over 40 points
in their previous nine games. Andrew Butler led all defenders with
12 tackles. For the third time in seven years, the Golden Lions
would be moving into the state quarterfinals.
St. Pius X then hosted Peach County in the quarterfinal round over
Thanksgiving weekend. The Golden Lions took the opening kickoff
and marched down the field. The opening drive was capped by
a 57-yard run by Kennedy for a 7-0 lead. Several traded punts
later, Peach County scored a touchdown but Harris blocked the
PAT as SPX took a 7-6 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Peach County scored a touchdown following a
Golden Lion turnover, and the Trojans led, 14-7 after a successful
two-point conversion. With just over ten minutes left in regulation,
Moon crashed through the defense to pull SPX within one, and
Gargiulo added the extra point to knot the game at 14.
Forty-eight minutes would not be enough to decide the outcome
of this game. Peach County scored a touchdown on the opening
overtime possession, forcing the Golden Lions to match with one
of their own. Sadly, a White pass fell unceremoniously short on
fourth down ending the historic, record-breaking season.
The 2009 edition set or tied many school records; most wins in a
season, first team to 12-0, four consecutive playoff appearances,
and highest scoring offense in school history. They accomplished
all of this with a heavy heart as legendary football coach, George
B. Maloof passed away in early-October. However, these young
men truly lived up to Coach Maloof’s motto, “Do the best you
can with the ability God gave you.”
Congratulations to Coach Paul Standard and his team on an
amazing season!
Kyle Snipes
Associate Communications
SPOTLIGHT:
SPX vs MARIST, We Did It Again!
One thousand pairs of eyes were intently
fixed on one person—Father Dan. That
was the scene at 9:37 p.m. on August 28
at Hughes Spalding Stadium on the Marist
campus. The St. Pius X students had been
told they could not rush the field until Father
Dan gave them the signal. Not a moment
before. The students love and respect Father
Dan. He is also one very large individual so
it really did not seem to make much sense
to risk one’s life so early in the school year.
But, would he ever give the signal? Finally
he did, and the entire student body, as one,
jumped the fence and charged the field to
celebrate with the team.
The old coach in me said, “Don’t get
so excited, it’s
just one game.”
But I knew how
hard our players
and coaches had
worked. It had
been over twenty
years since we
had beaten Marist
twice in a row, and
we had beaten
them on their
own field. I knew
this was a special
night for all our
players, and that was evidenced in all of
the big plays made by our guys to secure
an exciting and dominating victory! The
score, 28-3, was indicative of the game.
This was no squeaker. This was St. Pius
X football at its hard hitting, determined,
disciplined best.
On paper it’s one game. My sense, however,
is that this was the start of a journey, of a
mission. I suspect, because of the way this
game was played, that this mission will run
well into the winter. I am keeping Father
Dan on permanent standby!
Mark Kelly ’70
Director of Athletics
Ward Brings Home Gold!
Sweet Success: Kate Ward waves to the crowd after
receiving her Gold Medal in the 2009 Deaflympic
Games. Kate scored two goals—one in the Gold
Medal match.
St. Pius X sophomore Kate Ward, the youngest
person ever to play on the United States Women’s
Deaf National Soccer team, helped the team win
the Gold Medal at the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei,
Taiwan. Ward, 15, started every game for the U.S.
and scored two goals-including one in the Gold
Medal match.
Throughout the round-robin and knockout stages of
the tournament, Ward saw significant playing time.
Her first goal came against Denmark, where Ward
beat two Danish defenders on the edge of the penalty
area, and booted a left-footed shot into the bottom
of the left of the net. Her goal in the Gold Medal
match was a chip shot over the German goalkeeper
that dipped just below the crossbar as the American
team beat Germany, 4-0.
Ward became a favorite of sorts among fans. After
games, several fans asked for pictures with her.
Many printed, laminated and brought pictures for
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Ward to autograph. At the Closing Ceremonies,
fellow athletes from other nations sought out Ward
to congratulate her on her goal and her accomplishments.
Ward’s mother, Joan, said of the trip, “This was an
incredible soccer experience, deaf culture experience
and exposure to the Taiwanese culture. The people
of Taiwan were welcoming, friendly and helpful.”
Ward is not sure what the future holds in international
competition. Training camps and competitions have
yet to be scheduled; however, Ward hopes to participate
in the 2012 World Championships in Turkey,
and the 2013 Deaflympics in Greece.
“It was a great cultural and athletic experience,”
said Kate.
“I had a fun time and hope to have the opportunity
to compete in international competition again.”