The Xavier Gators and Tucson Badgers entered Tuesday night's game at Petznick Field ranked #28 and #32, respectively, in the 6A Conference, so a Gator win was expected, but the closeness of their rankings did not prepare us for the overwhelming 38-3 victory that materialized.

With the top sixteen teams in the conference making the playoffs, it is unlikely that Xavier will punch a ticket to the State Tournament. However, that does not dampen the joy of watching a young team, led by a highly talented and athletic group of freshman and sophomores, display highly productive offensive and defensive performances like they did on Tuesday night. 

Ninth and tenth graders almost make up the entirety of the highlight videos below, and they are fun to watch. Three juniors and one senior populate the Gator roster; the rest are frosh and sophs.

With sophomore Molly Lim at quarterback, the Gators built up a 31-0 lead by half-time. Lim connected with junior Ellie McLaughlin and sophomores Mae Rawls, Hailey Monroe, and Evie Maas for touchdowns before the horn sounded to send teams "into their locker rooms" for intermission. Sophomore Nora Bunten contributed to the 31-point tally with a 17-yd field goal in the first quarter.

Freshman Giselle Robinson-Walwyn completed Xavier's scoring in the third quarter with a six-yard TD reception from Lim.

Lim spent the night artfully evading Badger rushers and getting loose for some long gains. Speaking of long gains, on one play, freshman L Hopkins stood next to quarterback Lim, took the hike, and cranked off a speedy run that chewed up many yards.

I nearly found myself feeling sorry for the Tucson quarterback as I watched the relentless, aggressive pursuit by Xavier's primary rushers, Hopkins and Rawls, along with others like sophomore Juliette Jacques and freshman Harper Hernandez.

Watch my written word come to life in the two highlight videos below.

Xavier lost to Millennium last night and will play next at home on Monday, October 26, versus Marana.


Be sure to change to highest video quality in YouTube