3 observations: St. Xavier football not happy despite Week 1 win over Owensboro

Expectations are high for a St. Xavier High School football program looking to repeat as Class 6A state champions, so head coach Kevin Wallace wasn’t in the mood to sugar-coat things after a two-touchdown victory in the Tigers’ season opener.

“This was a step back,” he said.

Wallace said there were too many “self-inflicted wounds” on offense but admitted his defense and special teams were good enough in a 28-14 victory over visiting Owensboro on Friday.

Junior running back Don’Tre Richardson carried 11 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns and senior quarterback Adam Boone also ran for a score as the Tigers backed up their No. 1 preseason ranking in Class 6A.

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But after what Wallace called an impressive showing last week in a scrimmage against Frederick Douglass, he was left shaking his head Friday night.

“We played a really good team and came out with a win, so we should be happy with that,” he said. “But we’ve got to get a lot better. … We were good enough defensively and good enough in special teams. Our offense just can’t lose the game.”

Here are three observations from St. X’s victory:

Quarterback position unsettled

The Tigers’ first possession of the game was a microcosm of Wallace’s top concern — the quarterback position.

Boone got the starting nod, but junior Trevor Havill relieved him on the third play of the opening drive. After completing his first two passes, Havill was intercepted by Zach Clark, who sprinted 60 yards for a touchdown that gave the Red Devils a 7-0 lead.

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“That’s why we haven’t had anybody win the job,” Wallace said.

Boone’s background is as a quarterback, but he played wide receiver last season as quarterback Jack Sivori led the Tigers to the state title.

Boone’s strength is running the ball, as he carried 17 times for 53 yards Friday. Havill’s strength is passing.

“You saw what Adam can do, but Adam has limits to what he can do in the passing game,” Wallace said. “We’re not going to be a contending team without having a threat of throwing the football.”

Boone is confident he’ll improve.

“First-game jitters, so we weren’t locked in all the way,” he said. “I have to improve on passing and leading and make sure I lift everybody up. I just have to trust myself and not second-guess myself.”

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Richardson solid in backfield

St. X’s running game last year was a steady dose of Sivori, but Richardson gives the Tigers a solid option at halfback.

His 22-yard touchdown run with 23 seconds left in the first half gave St. X a 21-14 lead. His 12-yard touchdown run with 32 seconds left in the third quarter closed the scoring.

“It feels great, but this is just the beginning,” Richardson said. “Many more problems to come from No. 24. That’s all I have to say.”

Wallace noted several other running backs, including junior Davis Yates, will continue to get carries.

“None of those guys are big enough to carry it 20 times a game and hold up against our schedule, so we’re trying to play a lot of people at running back,” Wallace said. “Obviously, Don’Tre has a little bit of a different gear than most of the guys we have.”

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Third baseman delivers for St. X

After Kenyatta Carbon’s 83-yard touchdown run gave the Red Devils a 14-7 lead, the Tigers got a big lift from a baseball star.

Senior Cooper Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to tie the score at 14.

Smith was a third baseman on the St. X baseball team that won the state championship last season. He’s committed to play baseball at Troy University.

Along with his special-team prowess, Smith also starts at cornerback.

“He has an ‘it’ factor about him,” Wallace said. “He’s tougher than nails. He’s going to be a college baseball player, and how many times in this day do those guys come and play their senior football season? I have so much respect for him. … He has an energy, has a talent, has a capability of really helping us defensively and on special teams.”

More around the city:3 takeaways: CAL football blows out South Oldham to start season

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.

OWENSBORO    7            7            0            0 - 14

ST. XAVIER         7            14          7            0 - 28

First quarter

O – Zach Clark 60 interception return (Andrew Lanz kick)

X  - Adam Boone 3 run (Logan Zoeller kick)

Second quarter

O – Kenyatta Carbon 83 run (Lanz kick)

X – Cooper Smith 89 kickoff return (Zoeller kick)

X – Don’Tre Richardson 22 run (Zoeller kick)

Third quarter

X – Richardson 12 run (Zoeller kick)

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA football: 3 observations from St. Xavier's win over Owensboro