By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
St. JosephAcademy’s TAPPS district football game at 7 p.m. Friday at Canales Field against San Antonio Central Catholic likely will be the Bloodhounds’ final home appearance of the season.
With that in mind, the Bloodhounds (5-3, 1-2 district) want to give a strong performance and get back into the win column after last week’s 52-18 setback at Austin St. Michael’s.
“We just have to play better than we did last week, get our (quick-paced offensive) tempo back and get more solid on defense,” SJA coach Christian Putegnat said. “(Against St. Michael’s) we had too many dropped passes and too many missed assignments.”
SJA will be facing a 5-3, 2-1 Central Catholic team that is coming off last week’s 39-26 victory over San Antonio Christian.
Directing the Buttons is senior quarterback Joseph Nava, who leads his team in passing (1,208 yards, 14 touchdowns) and rushing (629 yards, six TDs). Last week against San Antonio Christian, Nava threw for 189 yards and three TDs, and he rushed for 153 yards and one score.
“They throw the ball well and their quarterback is a mover,” Putegnat said of Nava. “They’re a well-rounded team, basically the same as they’ve been before.”
The Bloodhounds prevailed over Central Catholic 24-21 at Canales Field one year ago after the Buttons topped SJA 61-30 two seasons ago in San Antonio.
SJA is led by freshman QB Kai Money, who has passed for 1,295 yards and 13 TDs, and rushed for 1,087 yards and eight scores. Money is averaging 8.2 yards per carry. His passing and rushing totals lead the team.
Teammate Mario Garcia, a sophomore running back, also is an important contributor on offense, rushing for 707 yards and eight TDs. Against St. Michael’s, Garcia ran for 85 yards and two scores, and he caught three passes for 54 yards.
The Bloodhounds close out their regular season schedule Nov. 8 at San Antonio Antonian. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Putegnat said the Bloodhounds remain in the mix for the TAPPS postseason and could wind up going on the road to face a playoff opponent from the Dallasarea.