The Fighting Irish are off to their best start in four seasons with a 55-19 rout over Glascock County on Homecoming Friday, Sept. 25.

In practice all week, Aquinas coach Matt LeZotte ingrained upon his team to "Finish the drill."

In three previous games, the Irish found difficulty converting red-zone possessions into points. But after a week of practice, Aquinas solved its offensive woes Friday night.

Freshman running back Brendan Douglas scored three first-half touchdowns and the Irish rolled to a 55-19 homecoming win over Glascock County.

"We finished the drill tonight," Aquinas senior center Pat Douglas said. "We didn't have penalties like we've had in previous games and that helped a lot."

Aquinas scored its most points in a game since the 2000 season when the Irish blasted Towns County, 62-0. More importantly, Aquinas improved to 2-2 -- its best start in four seasons.

"Our goal was to get over the hump," LeZotte said. "We have to learn how to finish off opponents. In the past, we'd play well for a half. But we're starting to put four quarters together and it's making a difference."

Aquinas displayed a balanced attack, rushing for 189 yards of its 358 total yards. Trey Bentley led the Irish with 62 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown.

Quarterback Dane Anderson went 9 for 10 passing for 169 yards. Garrett Pippin caught five passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

"Dane's really coming along," Pippin said. "These last couple of games he's really been getting a lot better and a lot more confident. He's really dropping the ball in there where you want it."

Aquinas got revenge for its first-ever loss to Glascock County last season. But the Panthers (0-5) are a much different squad this year. Glascock County entered allowing 38 or more points in each of its previous four contests, and couldn't stop Aquinas.

"We went out there and executed our plays," LeZotte said. "Guys were running hard. Guys were blocking hard. And that makes all the difference."

Glascock County's Montavious Myricks scored on runs of 59 and 68 yards and finished with 246 yards.

AQUINAS 55, GLASCOCK COUNTY 19

PLAY OF THE GAME: Shortly after Glascock County pulled within eight on a Montavious Myricks touchdown run, Aquinas running back Collin Oliver broke two tackles on a 25-yard scoring run up the middle late in the first quarter.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Aquinas freshman running back Brendan Douglas bulldozed his way to three first-half touchdowns.

WHY AQUINAS WON: The Irish converted all five red-zone opportunities and found a solid passing game with quarterback Dane Anderson and wide receiver Garrett Pippin .

WHY GLASCOCK COUNTY LOST: The Panthers have some quality players but zero depth. The defense had difficulties trying to stop anything Aquinas did on offense.

NEXT: Aquinas at Lincoln County, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2.

Source: The Augusta Chronicle