FORT WASHINGTON -- Xavier Stearn '26 threw five touchdown passes and ran for two more, while the defense recorded and interception and a blocked kick as GA gave new head coach Kyle Donahue '14 his first career win, 49-26, over Father Judge in Carey Stadium Friday night in the home opener.

Stearn completed 13 passes for 288 yards through the air with a handful of yards on the ground. Wide receiver AJ Towsen '25 found the end zone three times on seven receptions, while Mick McKee '26 hauled in six passes and two scores from Stearn. George Arendt '25 recorded an interception for the Patriots, giving the team three through two weeks of the season.

"I feel awesome for the seniors,多纳休说. "They've been working hard since January and I think when we watch this game, we'll see a lot of seniors stand out. I'm very excited to get the first win for them, get that behind us, and to keep going."

The Patriots put themselves in a 7-0 hole early, after the Crusaders recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff and scored on a 25-yard pass three plays later. However, GA responded with a six-play, 80-yard drive to level the score. Following a three-and-out by Father Judge, GA打了七局, 65-yard drive to go up 14-7 with 4:08 in the first quarter. Stearn picked up his first rushing touchdown of the season to open the second frame, GA以21比14领先. A long rushing touchdown from the Crusaders looked to tie the contest at 21, but Jeremiah Justice '25 blocked the PAT to keep the Patriots ahead by one. Two more scores from Towsen gave GA a 35-20 lead at halftime.

Stearn added a one-yard rushing touchdown and completed a pass to McKee, 谁把它带到了远方, 完成得分. After falling just short of a win a week ago, Donahue was more than pleased with the result, especially with the school year getting underway. 

"We had a short week and it was the first week of school, so we had to get some work done a little later than usual,多纳休说. "We still got great work in, we had great weather, and I thought we showed maturity with it all. Now the challenge is to remain as focused as we've been coming off of a win. So there's still work to do, but I'm excited for the team tonight."

The Patriots are 1-1 and will travel to Northeast High School on Friday, 9月13日, 晚上7点开球.