Sacred Heart Indians

Indians End Drought With 31-14 Win Over Cardinals

  • Nic Angerstein collars St. Paul Cardinal halfback Nate Boedeker. Mark Lube/Shiner Gazette
    Nic Angerstein collars St. Paul Cardinal halfback Nate Boedeker. Mark Lube/Shiner Gazette

    SHINER – The Sacred Heart Indians overcame the loss of quarterback Andrew Steffek and defeated the St. Paul Cardinals, 31-14, at Comanche Stadium Friday night.

    “It was a tremendously gutsy and gritty performance by our kids,” head coach Alex Seydler said. “We faced adversity all game long and continued to persevere.”

    Andrew Steffek was injured in the second period and was part of a rash of injuries in the contest. SP lost its top rusher on the season, Nate Boedeker, quarterback Zeke Rodriguez and a lineman.

    The teams were tied 14-all at the half before the Indians scored 17 unanswered points in the final two quarters.

    The victory ended six years of misery for the Indians vs. St. Paul.

    Halfback Brady Haas replaced Andrew Steffek at quarterback. Andrew Steffek completed 3 of 6 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns in his two-period stint with an interception.

    The Cardinals made 17 first downs to the Indians’ 11 and had 281 yards total offense and SH 221.

    Haas led the Indians in rushing with 71 yards on 17 carries. Boedeker gained 119 yards in 24 tries before his exit. Halfback Zane Barta was left to carry the load and gained 106 yards on 24 totes of the football.

    The Cardinals scored first on a 1-yard plunge by Rodriguez with 5:57 left in the first period.

    SH replied with a 64- yard pass-and-run from Andrew Steffek to Marcus Seger. Nic Angerstein kicked the extra point.

    Boedeker scored on a 2-yard run to end a 58-yard drive with 4:11 remaining in the first half

    The Indians again answered with Andrew Steffek connecting with split end Hudson Kutac for the touchdown to tie the game at 14.

    The Indians returned the second half kickoff to the SP 48. Haas recovered a bad snap before gaining 13 yards and a first down and then alternated carries with Cade Steffek and Cameron Cull to get inside the 10. On the next play, a penalty pushed the Indians back to the 13 before Angerstein scored on a sweep.

    Haas scored on a 21- yard run with 11:38 to go in the fourth quarter for a 28-14 advantage.

    Angerstein scored the final points of the game with a 33-yard field goal.