Shiner St. Paul Cards rush to state championship

The Shiner St. Paul Cardinals used its tradition and brute strength to win its fourth consecutive state championship.

The Cardinals polished up a perfect 14-0 season to earn the TAPPS Div. IV State Title under the direction of Head Coach Jake Wachsmuth on Saturday, December 4 in Killeen by defeating Colleyville Covenant Christian 48-41.

The Cardinals used its rush attack to outgain Colleyville Covenant, a staple it used through the season to reach the state championship.

St. Paul racked up 320 yards on the ground led by Martin Kennedy who finished with 154 yards on 22 carries. Adam Hollenbach finished with 81 yards on 16 carries on three quarters of play after suffering an injury that sidelined him.

Hollenbach led St. Paul in the season finishing with 2,000 yards on 230 carries and 47 touchdowns. Kennedy finished with 1,202 yards on 120 carries and 17 touchdowns.

Hollenbach’s best game came against Muenster in the quarterfinals where he finished with 237 yards on the ground on 20 carries and four touchdowns.

Brandon Sciba finished the season for St. Paul with 852 yards on 62 carries and was named the Most Valuable Player in the state championship game.

St. Paul’s rushing averages through the season were evident the team dominated. The Cardinals averaged 329.7 yards as a team in the regular season and 339 yards in district play. In the playoffs, they averaged 377.5 yards a game.

As a whole, St. Paul gained 4,844 rushing yards through 14 games and scored 87 touchdowns.

Rushing through the season

   Game        Carries  -  Yards -  Leader

Pettus, 43 - 199 - Hollenbach, 106

Cornerstone, 28 - 446 - Hollenbach, 165

Stockdale, 48 - 381 - Hollenbach, 216

Flatonia, 26 - 273 - Hollenbach, 103

Bryan St. Joseph, 31 - 379 - Sciba, 112

Regents, 41 - 300 - Hollenbach, 169

Bryan Brazos*, 41 - 434 - Hollenbach, 216

St. Gerard*,  27 - 245 - Hollenbach, 95

Sacred Heart*, 44 - 408 - Kennedy, 101

St. Dominic Savior*, 32 - 269 - Hollenbach, 103

Rockwall Christian**, 42 - 513 - Sciba, 172

Muenster**, 35 - 378 - Hollenbach, 237

Lubbock Christian**, 52 - 299 - Hollenbach 161

Colleyville Covenant**, 54 - 320 - Kennedy 154

*Denotes District Game

**Denotes TAPPS playoffs