Blessed Trinity High School, Roswell, scored its first touchdown 1:50 seconds into the game and never looked back, to make it three wins in a row after defeating South Atlanta High School 38-0 at Grady High School stadium. Junior running back Sam Burkhalter led the ground attack with 206 yards on 24 carries. He also had three touchdowns to bring his total to eight for the season. Fellow classmates and running backs Bruce Johnson and Kyle Milo also contributed to the team’s 300 total rushing yards with eight carries for 51 yards and one touchdown and 12 carries for 30 yards and one touchdown, respectively. On defense senior linebackers Zach Hegetschweiler and Matt Maloney combined for 11 tackles and three quarterback hurries. The defense gave up a total of 41 yards and recorded their third straight shutout. Senior kicker Garrett Jack converted all five extra point attempts and scored the team’s final three points with a 43-yard field goal. However, it was not his kicking that drew the loudest outburst from his teammates, coaches and the crowd in the stands—it was a hit he put on a South Atlanta player during a second-half kickoff return following a Blessed Trinity touchdown. Jack hit the guy so hard the player went backwards three yards and his knees buckled (he was not injured). Kickers are not usually known for their hitting, but Jack defies the stereotype, and an appropriate nickname might be “the punisher.” Blessed Trinity (3-0) returns home to face Chamblee High School (3-0) Friday, Sept. 28.

Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Atlanta, scored three touchdowns in the first half and two in the second half on their way to a 35-0 rout of Young Americans Christian School. Running back Joe Maranville ran for 143 yards on 16 carries to go with his two touchdowns. Holy Spirit quarterback Curtis Johnson also passed for 161 yards and threw for two touchdowns. The defense had four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Senior linebacker Mike Lindenau returned one of the interceptions for a 60-yard touchdown. Holy Spirit (2-2) has a bye this week and will play their next game Oct. 5.

Marist School, Atlanta, scored two touchdowns in the second quarter and one each in the other three quarters to beat Cedar Grove High School 35-25 and up their record to 3-1. Quarterback Cooper Taylor and running backs Matt Lewis, Derek Heyden and Neil Schuster each scored rushing touchdowns, but the rushing leader for the Marist War Eagles was senior Kevin Lanier with 109 yards. Marist takes on North Springs at home on Friday, Sept. 28.

Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fairburn, went on the road and won their first game of the season with a 35-26 victory over Towns County High School. Thirty-five points provided a school record for one game. Sophomore running back Christian Willis led the offense with 294 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns. Junior quarterback William Pearl was 13 for 18 with 139 passing yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jarrell Bankhead and wide receiver David Goemaere also scored a touchdown apiece. Senior linebacker Will Simmons spearheaded the defense with 11 tackles. Mercy (1-2) returns home to play Mount Zion High School (0-3) Friday, Sept. 28.

Pinecrest Academy, Cumming, improved their record to 2-2 with a 33-6 victory over The Heritage School. Running back Tom Zigtema scored two first quarter touchdowns. Quarterback Michael Metz ran for a 31-yard touchdown in the second quarter and threw a four-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Joe Neiner in the third quarter. Neiner was also on the receiving end of a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Zach Wilson in the fourth quarter. Pinecrest travels to Atlanta to play Mount Vernon Presbyterian Friday, Sept. 28.

St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, fell from the ranks of the undefeated with a 35-0 loss to Tucker High School. St. Pius head coach Paul Standard attributed the loss to Tucker’s speed and big plays. The Pius offense could only manage 133 yards of offense, 73 rushing and 60 passing, in a scoreless effort. Sophomore fullback Cole Moon led all rushers with 44 yards on 15 carries. On the other side of the ball, Tucker amassed 374 yards of offense. St. Pius (3-1) will take on Washington High School (1-3) for their homecoming, Friday, Sept. 28.