Braves Celebrate Senior Night with 40–0 Shutout of Mater Dei -

The Mt. Zion Braves delivered a memorable Senior Night performance, combining an explosive offense with six interceptions to defeat the Breese Mater Dei Knights 40–0.

Mt. Zion scored 20 points in the first quarter, carried a 33–0 lead into halftime and finished with 372 yards of total offense. The Braves produced three touchdowns through the air and three on the ground, while their defense kept the Knights off the scoreboard throughout the evening.

Junior quarterback Noah Schmahl threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, completing eight of 18 passes. Senior running back Travon Street led the rushing attack with 148 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, averaging 11.4 yards per attempt.

The Braves opened the scoring with 5:53 remaining in the first quarter when Schmahl connected with Sam Toth for a 37-yard touchdown. Senior kicker Declan Woosley added the extra point for a 7–0 lead.

Less than two minutes later, Schmahl found Jaxon Good for a 65-yard touchdown pass. Another Woosley extra point pushed the advantage to 14–0 with 3:57 left in the quarter. Senior Connor Fox followed with a 1-yard touchdown run at the 3:01 mark, giving Mt. Zion a 20–0 lead heading into the second quarter.

Schmahl and Good connected again with 8:57 remaining before halftime, this time on a 16-yard touchdown pass. Good finished with two receptions for 81 yards, scoring on both catches.

Senior Kellen Bollhorst added a 13-yard touchdown run with 1:14 left in the half. Woosley’s extra point extended the lead to 33–0, putting the Braves firmly in control at the break.

After a scoreless third quarter, Street supplied the final touchdown with a 62-yard run with 9:10 remaining in the fourth. Woosley added the extra point to complete the scoring.

Mt. Zion finished with 189 rushing yards on 26 attempts, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Bollhorst contributed 40 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. In the passing game, senior Brody Lipa caught four passes for 68 yards, while Sam Toth’s lone reception went for the Braves’ opening touchdown.

The defense matched that offensive production with a dominant performance against the Knights’ passing attack.

Lipa intercepted two passes and returned them for a combined 73 yards, including a 42-yard return. Senior Evan Howley added an interception with a 27-yard return, while Good, Caanan Trimble and senior Henry Toth each recorded an interception. Together, the Braves returned their six interceptions for 100 yards.

Mt. Zion also limited Mater Dei to 73 rushing yards on 25 attempts, an average of 2.9 yards per carry. Liam Wessling led the Knights with 57 rushing yards, while Bodie Brockmeier caught five passes for 75 yards.

Lipa contributed on special teams as well, returning two punts for 47 yards. Woosley made four extra points, and Trimble averaged 44 yards across seven kickoffs, including two touchbacks.

The victory provided a fitting backdrop for recognizing Mt. Zion’s senior class and its contributions to the Braves football program.

The seniors being celebrated were Henry Toth, Holden Wirey, Brody Lipa, Connor Fox, Braden Maxey, Jack Lay, Wyatt Stevens, Kalvin Becker, Gauge Dalluge, Kellen Bollhorst, Travon Street, Chase Schoonover, Matt Bieker, Evan Howley, Jack Osborne, Austin Burich, Greyson Dial, Jordan Abreu, Nolan Roney, AJ Miller, Bo Buttz, Henry Blunt, Arsheep Singh, Jack Rogers and Declan Woosley.

From the offensive and defensive lines to the skill positions and special teams, the senior class was represented throughout a complete team victory. On an evening dedicated to honoring those players, the Braves gave their home crowd plenty to celebrate with a six-touchdown performance and a shutout.