Top 8 Performers from Gonzaga vs. St. John’s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's review an incredible WCAC battle and highlight the standout performances from the contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ST. JOHN'S 22</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 5'11 175 RB - Da'Jaun Riggs - St. John's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet again, Da'Jaun Riggs absolutely dominated offensively over the weekend for St. John's. Riggs rushed 18 times for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he successfully led the charge to victory for the Cadets. Both of his touchdown scores were unique in their own way, and the first one was a flat-out 85 yard race to the end-zone, which Riggs won easily. His second score was only for 15 yards, but he utilized a spin-move juke that caused three defenders to miss tackles at once. It was one of the most spectacular jukes that I have ever seen at any level of play, and this highlight reel move truly embodies Riggs' exciting play style. Riggs and the Cadets face the WCAC conference leading Good Counsel Falcons in the playoff semifinals this upcoming weekend, and this game is most certainly the most important game of the season for both programs. The Cadets and the Falcons kick-off @7PM Eastern time under the Friday night lights in Olney, MD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/7UKDHDTPbY">https://t.co/7UKDHDTPbY</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 5'11 175 DB - Rob Steward - St. John's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cadet defensive back Rob Steward played one of his best games of the season against Gonzaga, and he returned a fumble recovery for an 82 yard score on one of the highlight reel plays of the game. Steward was fundamental in holding the Purple Eagles to under two scores. He and the Cadet secondary made the passing game very difficult for Gonzaga's quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='264054' first='Aidan' last='Conrath'], and the defensive pressure forced multiple turnovers as a result. Steward is also an All-American track runner at St. John's, and his speed truly makes him a top defensive back in the 2024 class. Rob Steward and the entire St. John's secondary must continue their elite defensive play this weekend, or it will be a long night against the #1 seed Good Counsel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://twitter.com/robertsteward_/status/1589044021313560576?s=20&amp;t=kEUZdWj6NrSM9E81rv4LYQ">https://twitter.com/robertsteward_/status/1589044021313560576?s=20&amp;t=kEUZdWj6NrSM9E81rv4LYQ</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 6'3 200 QB - [player_tooltip player_id='372517' first='Isaiah' last='French'] - St. John's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='372517' first='Isaiah' last='French'] played a very solid game against Gonzaga, and, most importantly, he protected the football. While French didn't blow-up the stat sheets, what he did do was make clutch throws in crunch time. French continuously found his top receivers, [player_tooltip player_id='247536' first='Sean' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='477672' first='Asa' last='Gregg'], on third down, and he also found Williams for a first down on a corner route late in the fourth quarter which essentially sealed the game for the Cadets. There's no denying [player_tooltip player_id='372517' first='Isaiah' last='French']'s huge potential, and he has a prime opportunity to prove himself this weekend in a WCAC semifinal game against the top seed- Good Counsel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/SF2RgTI4Pp">https://t.co/SF2RgTI4Pp</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 6'0 170 DB - [player_tooltip player_id='273398' first='Tariq' last='Hayer'] - St. John's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='273398' first='Tariq' last='Hayer'] delivered a huge interception for the Cadets in the second quarter of this contest, and it gave St. John's an opportunity to take the lead before halftime. The Cadets failed to capitalize directly following the turnover, however, it was Hayer and the Cadet secondary that won the game for St. John's. Hayer is a four star recruit, and he showed us exactly why that is with his elite performance over the weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='273398' first='Tariq' last='Hayer'] is definitely one of the top overall defensive backs in the 2025 class, and he will need to play at least a solid game against Good Counsel if the Cadets are going to be victorious this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/EkJwnwIQE5">https://t.co/EkJwnwIQE5</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'1 185 WR - [player_tooltip player_id='247536' first='Sean' last='Williams'] - St. John's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most clutch receiver of this ball was undeniably [player_tooltip player_id='247536' first='Sean' last='Williams'], and he also had 4 receptions for 51 yards to show for it. [player_tooltip player_id='247536' first='Sean' last='Williams'] has been the go to receiver on third down for St. John's all season long, and it was no different against Gonzaga last weekend. Williams converted on multiple first downs, and he did so late in the 4th quarter to essentially secure the game for the Cadets. Williams must get open for [player_tooltip player_id='372517' first='Isaiah' last='French'] this weekend against Good Counsel, or Good Counsel's elite defensive line will have a field day in the backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='247536' first='Sean' last='Williams'] should absolutely be named to the WCAC All-Conference 1st Team this season, and he has another chance to prove just why that is this weekend during the WCAC playoffs against the #1 seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/AlepE0VyY8">https://t.co/AlepE0VyY8</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GONZAGA 13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'0 180 WR - Brendan Lee - Gonzaga - Cornell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brendan Lee opened the scoring in this contest, and he did so on an incredible jet-sweep touchdown which both highlighted his speed and gave Gonzaga the early lead. Lee saw a lot of production in this game, and one of the primary reasons for that was the absence of Jalen McDonald. Lee certainly stepped-up to the task, however, and he proved that he can take on wide receiver #1 responsibilities this weekend against DeMatha if necessary. The Cornell commit will be an extremely solid receiver for the Big Red in the Ivey League, and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes an Ivey League All-Conference Team before his career is over at Cornell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights:<a href=" https://twitter.com/brendanjjlee/status/1577825592417869826/photo/1"> https://twitter.com/brendanjjlee/status/1577825592417869826/photo/1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 6'5 220 TE - [player_tooltip player_id='321264' first='Burke' last='Carroll'] - Gonzaga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='321264' first='Burke' last='Carroll'] caught the nearly game tying touchdown against St. John's last weekend. Carroll made an incredible leaping grab that brought Gonzaga within one point of the Cadets, however, the Purple Eagles unfortunately failed on the two point conversion attempt. Carroll proved, as he has all season, that he's a quintessential Gonzaga Purple Eagles tight end who will absolutely thrive at the next level. If you're looking for a phenomenal all-around tight end with a huge ceiling then look no further than [player_tooltip player_id='321264' first='Burke' last='Carroll']. Gonzaga kicks off against DeMatha under the Friday night lights tomorrow @7PM Eastern time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highlights: <a href="https://t.co/VWPLKooBP8">https://t.co/VWPLKooBP8</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 5'11 180 LB - David Fred - Gonzaga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>David Fred displayed his well-roundedness in this contest, and he proved that he's one of the most talented two-way players on Gonzaga's roster. Fred made one of the plays of the game late in the second quarter on 4th down when he tackled the Cadet ball carrier at the one yard line. The Purple Eagles were given life in that moment, and all of the credit for that play belongs to David Fred. David Fred is a very exciting young player for this Gonzaga team, and he'll look to add onto his spectacular 2022 season this weekend in a WCAC playoff showdown against DeMatha. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->