Shrine wins playoff opener 56-17 behind Foster’s six touchdowns
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHR | 21 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 56 |
| CAR | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
Shrine Catholic High School turned an opening interception return for a touchdown into a 56-17 victory over Cardinal Mooney on Friday, Oct. 30, at Shrine in the first round of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) playoffs. Jaycee Foster scored six touchdowns for the Knights.
Grant Poulton started the scoring with a 36-yard interception return. Foster followed with a 4-yard touchdown run to cap an eight-play drive, then caught a 65-yard scoring pass from Nathan Maffucci as Shrine built a 21-0 first-quarter lead. Maffucci connected with Owen Wisniewski for a 45-yard touchdown in the second quarter, pushing the advantage to 28-0.
Cardinal Mooney answered with a 15-play drive that consumed 7:51 and ended with a 3-yard touchdown run. Shrine needed just 32 seconds to respond, with Foster breaking free for a 77-yard scoring run. After a Cardinal Mooney turnover, Foster added a 38-yard touchdown run on a two-play possession. A 36-yard Cardinal Mooney field goal made it 42-10 at halftime.
Foster opened Shrine’s second-half scoring with another 77-yard touchdown run, finishing a three-play, 51-second drive. Cardinal Mooney converted a Shrine turnover into a 2-yard touchdown run before Foster completed the scoring with a 54-yard run in the fourth quarter. Foster finished with 337 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 15 carries, adding the 65-yard reception for 402 yards from scrimmage and 36 points.
The Knights outgained Cardinal Mooney 485-192, including 360-123 on the ground, despite holding the ball for 14:52 compared with Cardinal Mooney’s 32:56. Shrine averaged 16.7 yards on 29 offensive plays and did not punt. Maffucci completed 4-of-6 passes for 125 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Poulton made all eight extra-point attempts.
Shrine’s defense intercepted four passes, Poulton, Wisniewski, Keegan Nichols and Luke Starrak all recorded an interception. Starrak led the Knights with eight tackles. Foster and Wisniewski each contributed six solo tackles, while Liam Glynn finished with six total tackles. Luke Robinson added two passes defended and a tackle for loss.
Shrine’s next game is at home on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. against Clarkston Everest Collegiate for the District Championship.
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