St. Pius X has a bevy of starters and key contributors back from last season’s team, which reached the Class AAAA state championship game. It’s a good thing, too, because the Golden Lions open with one of the most difficult two-game stretches in the state.
No. 5 St. Pius X kicks off Friday at Blessed Trinity (No. 2 in Class AAA). In Week 2, they host Woodward Academy (No. 3 in Class AAAA) in a rematch of last year’s semifinal game won by the Golden Lions, 28-21. Blessed Trinity also reached the state semifinals last season in Class AAA.
“Pretty tough start,” St. Pius coach Paul Standard said.
The Lions started 0-2 for the first time in Standard’s 14 seasons last year, but regrouped, made a change at quarterback and won 12 in a row before running into juggernaut Buford in the state championship game.
“After last year’s start, I thought I was going to have start looking for a potato chip route or something,” Standard joked in a recent phone interview, leading into his 15th season at St. Pius.
As many as 16 players who started or played significant minutes against Buford are back for Standard this season, including senior quarterback Reed Egan, who took over the Lions’ option attack early and last season and sparked the turnaround. He’ll be joined in the backfield by Ransom Klinger, who fought through an early-season shoulder injury last season, and had big games during the Lions’ playoff run. Olin Broadway had two interceptions, and Grant Holloman had a 57-yard touchdown run and an interception in last week’s scrimmage against North Oconee.
Overall, Standard likes this squad.
“We did graduate some fine players, but we wouldn’t have gotten to the state championship, if it also hadn’t been for the play of our juniors, who are now our new seniors,” Standard said. “That’s a very positive thing for us.”
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