Vianney
advanced out of pool play to the final
day of the Alabama Elite 7 on 7 Tournament
on Saturday, playing four games in a two
and a half hour time span. The Griffins
were hot as they began adjusting to the
team speed and intensity of southeastern
football. In the first elimination game,
the Griffins defeated North Alabama's
Sparkman High School in a one sided affair
at 8:00 in the morning.
The second round game would be an intense,
physical contest against Austin High School.
As the boys took control of the game,
the Austin staff, fans, and players became
enraged at the officiating and took out
their anger on the Griffins with three
consecutive personal fouls. The officials
threatened to end the game on the spot
and managed to regain control, but it
was too late for the Black Bears from
Decatur. The Griffins won in a route.
The third game of the day came against
the host team, the Bob Jones Patriots.
The Patriots won the tournament title
in '06 and took second in '07. Bob Jones
was on a hot streak again, having knocked
off the #2 seed en route to their game
with the Griffins. The Patriot euphoria
was short lived as the Vianney pulled
off what might be the upset of the tournament
with a 46-14 win.
Lining up for their fourth game of the
morning, the Griffins faced the tournament's
second seeded Olive Branch Conquistadors.
Olive Branch, one of Mississippi's finest
programs has a five year playoff streak
and advanced to the State semi-finals
in '07. Neither the Griffins nor the Conquistadors
had an answer for each other's offense
as the game was a wild scoring affair
on every possession. The pace was fast
and furious, as the winner would advance
to the tournament Final Four and a chance
at an invitation to the National 7 on
7 Championships in July. The Griffins,
trailing by two with under a minute remaining
took a shot at the end zone to win the
game, but a spectacular, leaping interception
by a Conquistador defender snatched a
final four appearance from the Griffins
as Olive Branch earned the win.
The tournament featured some of the best
teams in the country. Two of the Final
Four teams, The Byrnes Rebels from South
Carolina, and the North Gwinett Bulldogs
from Suwanee, Georgia will meet on August
29th in an ESPN nationally televised broadcast.
The event was a special experience, made
possible by the generousity and support
of our parents. The boys got to see what
football is like south of the Mason Dixon
Line and learned about the intensity and
effort needed to compete with great football
teams.
Griffins
Advance To Day 3 Tournament Play
Day
2 in the Alabama Elite 7 on 7 Tournament
saw the Griffins go 2-1 against some top
flight competition. The first contest
against Blount High School from Mobile,
AL was a heartbreaker as the Griffs dropped
a close one to an undefeated squad. Game
two brought on North Jackson, a perennial
powerhouse. A back and forth affair saw
the Griffins take a one point lead with
12 seconds remaining and hold on for the
win. The final game of pool play pitted
the Griffs against undefeated Stanhope-Elmore.
In the wildest game of the tournament
for Vianney, the Griffs matched Stanhope
touchdown for touchdown and managed to
pick off three passes. The boys scored
with 22 seconds to tie the game, and then
used clock management to force a three-and
-out as time expired to gain 2 points
for a defensive stop and earn a spectacular
win. Tournament play begins Saturday in
a double elimination format. [photos]
Alabama
Elite 7 on 7 Tournament Results
The
Griffins had to shake off the rust from
an eight hour bus ride when they rolled
into Madison, AL for the Alabama Elite
7 on 7 Tournament. After four games in
sweltering heat, the boys walked away
from day 1 with a four game split. The
Griffins won a game and lost a game on
the final play and pulled off a shocking
46-3 win over Delta powerhouse, Johnson
County. Some of the Nation's finest high
school football teams are on hand for
one of the premiere 7 on 7 events in the
country. [photos]
Summer
Jamboree Gives A Look At 2008 Griffins
The
Griffin Varsity and JV teams took part
in the annual East Central Coaches Association
Summer Jamboree. This year's event featured
24 teams at two separate locations. Friday
night rain forced the Griffs to travel
to St. Dominic High School where they
faced future District opponent Webster
Groves as well as Summit, Festus, and
St. Dominic's in situtional scrimmages.
The Saturday event consisted of three
"mini-games" against Borgia,
North County, and Fort Zummwalt East.
There was a ton of action in the circus
like atmosphere and the Griffins did well
in their early summer debut. The next
event for the Griffs is the Alabama Elite
7 on 7 Tournament June 19-21. Check out
the video highlights from the Jamboree
below! [varsity
and jv photos]
Class
Of 2012 Holds First Week Of Football
Camp
The
Vianney Family's newest members have taken
over campus for the week of June 9-13
for their first team camp. The freshman
team, 45 strong, are padded up and ready
to take to the gridiron in preparation
for their first football season. The Griffins
are working on individual skills on the
offensive and defensive sides of the ball
as well as learning the team concepts
they will perfect over the course of the
season. Look for the Class of 2012 to
make plenty of progress between now and
their season opener against the Oakville
Tigers on September 2nd at home.
Mike
Allen Honored By National Football Foundation
Vianney
senior, Mike Allen was recognized by the
National Football Foundation and College
Football Hall of Fame as one of the St.
Louis Area's finest football/scholar athletes.
Mike was one of eleven young men honored
from among more than 200 schools in the
metro area. He receives a scholarship
provided by the Tom Lombardo (St. Louis)
Chapter of the NFF. Mike ranks third in
the senior class and has a distinguished
record of social service. He is a member
of the German and Math Honor Societies
and is president of the National Honor
Society. Mike also received all-conference
recognition in football. He is currently
undefeated in the shotput as a member
of the Griffin track team. Mike will attend
the Missouri Institute of Science and
Technology in the fall.
Surviving
The Recruiting Process Presentation
If
your son is interested in playing college
football, plan to attend a presentation by
Coach Gladstone explaining the college football
recruitment process. He will cover recruitment
at the NCAA and NAIA levels and provide strategies
for "survival" through the process.
The meeting will take place on Monday, April
7th at 6:30 p.m. in the Media Center
Grade
School Football Camp To Be Held At Vianney
The
annual Gene
Gladstone Grade School Football Camp
will again be held on the campus of St. John
Vianney High School from June 9th through
June 13th. The camp will run daily from 9:00
through noon. This camp is a non-contact camp
for boys entering grades
4 - 8. For more information, click
here.
Jeff
Schoor, a three-sport standout athlete,
has signed a letter of intent to play
football at McKendree University. Schoor,
a captain and two-way starter for the
Griffins is also a basketball and baseball
player. As a free safety for the football
team, Jeff was among team leaders in tackles
and assists. Offensively, Jeff
was an inside receiver and tallied fourteen
receptions while making 29 tackles and
14 assists defensively.
Josh
Hewitt Signs With Avila University
Griffin
senior, Josh Hewitt signed a letter of
intent to play college football for Avila
University in Kansas City, MO. A captain,
Josh was a two year starter at center
for the Griffin football team and played
defensive end as well, earning All-MCC
honors at both spots. Additionally, Josh
earned First Team All-Metro recognition
as a punter this season, averaging over
43 yards per kick. Josh led the Griffins
in sacs this season.
Kevin
Connors Signs With Drake
After
an outstanding career as a defensive back
for the Griffin football team, and an
equally impressive academic career, Kevin
Connors has signed a Letter of Intent
to play football for the Drake University
Bulldogs. Kevin was a two-year starter
as a corner back and was elected to serve
as team captain by his teammates. Kevin
amassed 43 total tackles in his senior
campaign.
2008
SCHEDULE RELEASED!!
The
Griffins will make their first appearence
in Missouri's Class 5 division since 2003
as the new Football Classifications were released
on Friday, January 25th. The new classification
results in an entirely new look to the 2008
schedule. The Griffins will play in District
2 along with Roosevelt, Chaminade, and Webster.
Other opponents new to the Griffins are Beaumont,
Francis Howell Central, and Washington.
Josh
Hewitt was recognized as the Metropolitan
Area's best punter by being named to the
St. Louis All Metro Football Team. The
award is given to players from a pool
of almost 150 metro area schools. Josh
had a 43.1 yard average per kick and also
had an outstanding season as a center
and defensive end. Josh was selected as
a captain by his teammates. James Gladstone
was named as an honorable mention All
Metro performer. James had 59 receptions
for 814 yards as a wide receiver.
2007
All MCC Teams Announced
Dalton
Hewitt
1st Team Quarterback
James
Gladstone
1st Team Receiver
Josh
Hewitt
First Team Punter
The
Metro Catholic Conference All-Conference
teams are out and three Griffins were
named to the First Team. Dalton Hewitt
earned First Team quarterback and James
Gladstone earned First Team receiver
and Josh Hewitt earned First Team punter
honors. Check out the entire team here.
Vianney
Falls To SLUH In Season Finale
The
final regular season game against SLUH
had a post season berth at stake as the
Griffins and Jr. Bills took the filed
for what has become the annual final game
ritual for the District 2 title. The two
teams have split the last two games in
wild affairs and this one was no different.
The Bills scored first, but the Griffins
would even the score on their next possession
on a double reverse pass from James Gladstone
to a wide open Dan Borders. The Bills
capitalize on two Griffin turnovers to
take a 21-7 lead with two minutes left
in the first half, but that was more time
than the Griffs... [more][photos]
Flyers
Drop Griffins 26-7 In District Game
The
Griffins traveled three miles east to
South County rivals, the Lindbergh Flyers.
The Flyers proved to be a tenacious bunch
as they scored on their first drive and
never relinquished the lead. The Griffs
were a few inches off all night as scoring
opportunities seemed just out of reach.
Defensively, the Griffins had the Flyers
in four third and very long situations
only to yeild a first down and ultimately
a touchdown. The loss doesn't eliminate
the Griffins from playoff contention.
A win over SLUH this week can put the
boys right back in the driver's seat. [more][photos]
Amazing
Comeback Gets Homecoming Win
How
to keep the Homecoming faithful on the
edge of their seats? Spot Ritenour a 22-0
first quarter lead and then mount a 40-7
comeback in the next three quarters to
seal the victory and the first round district
game. The Griffins struggled with Ritenour's
speed early and the Huskies took advantage
of two Vianney mistakes to throw a scare
into the home crowd. As the boys settled
down, Homecoming MVP, Chris Starkey took
over on the ground and ran for 116 yards
leading the Griffins pounding attack to
a 40-29 win. Dalton Hewitt threw for 179
yards and TDs to Jeff Schoor and TJ Scheetz.
Dan Borders had three first down catches
in critical situations. Matt Grimes led
all defenders in tackles while John Fodge
was a force in the middle. [more][photos]
Griffins
Put On Show vs North
The
football team returned to Don Heeb Field
and ran off to a 22-0 lead enroute to
a 49-26 win against Francis Howell North.
Quarterback, Dalton Hewitt had a breakout
night, throwing for 210 yards and a TD
and running for 151 yards and three more
scores. The Knights rallied to close the
gap to 22-20 before the Griffins answered
with 27 consecutive points by the end
of the third quarter to seal the win.
Aside from a shaky second turnover that
saw the Griffs yield three turnovers in
their own red zone leading to scores,
the defense played a tough game that kept
the Griffins in good field position all
night. [more][photos]
Chaminade
Continues Griffins' Slide
The
rivalry between Chaminade and Vianney
continued at a fever pitch as the Griffins
were on the road to play a homecoming
matchup against the Flyers. The Griffins
struck first as they took the opening
kickoff and drove the length of the field
to take an early lead. Chaminade would
tally the next 27 points on the way to
a 48-20 win. The Griffins would make things
close in the second half as they cut the
Chaminade lead to 27-13. In the game's
defining play, Chaminade was backed up
deep in their own end and faced a third
and 28. A Griffn stop would get the ball
back in great field position, but Chaminade
broke off a 30 yard run... [more][photos]
CBC
Ground Game Pounds Griffins
In
one of the marquee games of the weekend,
the Griffins traveled to CBC to take on
the Cadets in a clash of styles. The Cadets
feature one of Missouri's finest runners
and the Griffins, one of the State's fastest
passing attacks. On this night, the footwork
of CBC's Rayon Simmons was too much for
the visiting team, giving CBC a 54-19
win. Simmons went the distance on CBC's
first play from scrimmage and staked the
Cadets to a lead they would never relinquish.
The Griffins would keep the game interesting
however, making a series of first half
runs that made for a wild 24 minutes of
football... [more][photos]
#2
DeSmet Squeaks By Griffins 15-8
The
DeSmet Spartans brought a gaudy #2 ranking
and a host of Division 1 athletes to Don
Heeb field on Friday night for what is
always a classic Vianney-DeSmet battle.
The 2007 version didn't disappoint as
the Griffins took an early 8-0 lead and
frustrated the visitors throughout the
first half. A fumbled punt deep in Vianney
territory provided the Spartans their
only score of the half and the Griffins
led at the break 8-6. The second half
proved to be a battle of field position
as the Griffins started repeatedly inside
their own 15. The turning point in the
game came on a third down pass from the
.... [more][photos]
Jackson
Hands Vianney First Loss
The
trip to Jackson to battle the undefeated
Indians had all the makings of a classic
Vianney/Jackson game. The Griffins featured
a high scoring offense and the Indians,
a rock hard defense. On this night, the
Indians prevailed in a 21-7 game that
was closer than the score would indicate.
The Indians scored on their opening possession
and looked to be in for an easy time of
it, but the Griffin defense was solid
the rest of the night as the two teams
went in to half time at 7-0. As the Griffins
emerged from the half, they had some very
"near miss" touchdown opportunities
on long passes, but seemed to be just
inches off from taking control of the
game. Late in the third quarter, Jackson
intercepted a pass an made a TD return
to break the game open at 14-0. The following
possession saw Dalton Hewitt blindsided
at the 10 yardline and the Indians recovered
the fumble to set up their final score.
The Griffs weren't finished. Hewitt hooked
up with James Gladstone for an 18 yard
TD to bring the Griffs back into contention.
The ensuing onsides kick off was recovered
by Jackson and the Griffins had to take
the long bus ride home. The Vianney faithful
were loud and proud in the Jackson stadium,
making their presence felt all night long.
Many thanks to those who made the trip!! [photos]
Griffins
Move To 2-0 Against Riverview
After
a 1hr and 55 minute rain delay on Friday
night, the football game with Riverview
was postponed with the Griffins trailing
14-9 at the end of the first half. Saturday
brought a new day and a renewed Vianney
football team as the Griffins took charge
from the re-start and never looked back,
winning against the Rams by a score of
31-14. A "ground and pound"
running attack propelled the Griffs to
the win against a wickedly fast Riverview
defense that was swarming to the ball
throughout the game. Special teams were
a big factor in the victory as Steve Schenck
kicked two field goals including a 41
yarder to close out the scoring. The win
sets up a battle of unbeatens as Vianney
travels to Jackson on Friday night for
a slugfest against the always powerful
Indians. [photos]
Griffins
Open Season With Impressive Win
The
bright lights and pagentry of opening
night couldn't distract the Griffins from
their mission on Friday as they scored
on their first three possessions and never
trailed in a 45-21 victory. Television
and internet broadcast coverage gave the
entire Metro area a chance to see that
the Griffins are ready to take on the
challenges of the 2007 season. Everyone
got in on the action as the Griffs took
a 38-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Dalton Hewitt and James Gladstone had
a big night, teaming up for 7 catches
for 194 yards and 3 tds. Mike Walsh scored
twice from the tailback spot, and DeMarco
Moorehead returned an interception for
a touchdown. [more]
[photos]
Jamboree
Friday At Northwest
The
Griffins will get a chance to square off
against someone other than themselves
this Friday at 7:00 when they travel to
Northwest of House Springs to face the
host Lions and the Falcons from Summit
High School in a jamboree. The Griffins
will play each team in a situational scrimmage
consisting of 18 offensive and 18 defensive
plays. A full crew of officials will provide
a game-like environment, but no special
teams play is allowed. Admission is $2. [directions
from Vianney]
Griffins
Practice At Ram's Park
How
do you beat the heat on the year's hottest
day? Head to the Russell Indoor Training
Center at Ram's Park! While most other
teams in the Metro area were scaling
back their afternoon practices, the
Griffins were able to go full tilt in
the air conditioned, state of the art
facility. Thanks to the generosity of
the Rams organization, the Griffins
were able to share yet another truly
unique football experience on the home
field turf of the St. Louis Rams.
Opening
Game vs Oakville To Be Televised
The
2007 football season will open with a
bang as the Griffins' season opening game
against the Oakville Tigers will be televised
on Charter Communications CCIN High
School Sports Network. The game,
played on Friday, August 31 at 7:00 at
Don Heeb field will pit the Griffins against
an Oakville team that went 9-1 last year
and finished among the Top 10.
An
8:00 am start time against Grayson from
Georgia greeted the Griffins on Saturday
morning in the second round of the double
elimination tournament format at the Alabama
Elite 7 on 7 Tournament. A hard fought
but disappointing loss on Friday night
sent the Griffins into a "win or
go home" scenario on Saturday morning.
Grayson gave the boys their only loss
of the day on Thursday . The game started
out tough as the Griffs gave up an interception
on their first series and fell behind
early...MORE>
