Pacelli takes down T-birds

The Thunderbirds lost their fourth straight game as they took on a visiting Pacelli Cardinals that were looking for their second win of the season.

Pacelli got the scoring started midway through the first quarter with a 14-yard touchdown run by running back Bryce Flaker.

Less than two minutes later, the Cardinals took advantage of a Thunderbird fumble recovery by their defense, gaining possession at the Thunderbirds’ 15-yard line. This set up Flaker for a one-yard touchdown run, extending Pacelli’s lead.

The game was interrupted by lightning strikes, causing a weather delay. During this break, Flaker explained how Pacelli stayed focused: “We just had to focus in the locker room, honestly, the whole team was locked in, no goofing around, we were staying locked in.”

After the delay, Aiden Bowen cut into the Pacelli lead with a 72-yard run, narrowing the deficit for the Thunderbirds to 14-7.

Bowen scored his second touchdown of the game from three yards out to make it a 14-13 deficit.

The Thunderbirds would take the lead early in the third quarter as quarterback Jensen Rice took a keeper five yards in for the touchdown.

Pacelli responded with a drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown from Eric Reincke, which tied the game. The extra point gave the Cardinals a 21-20 lead.
A screen pass to Flaker resulted in a 61-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, which gave the Cardinals a 27-21 lead that would be the final score.