Danielle McDermott is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Seton Catholic High School for AZPreps365.com. 

 

Seton Catholic High School got vengeance on Valley Christian High School on Friday, September 13, with a 40-14 victory.This is Seton’s second victory of the season with a record of 2-1, tying for first in the 4A Southwest region with Independence. 

Seton Catholic has outscored their opponents so far this fall, 82-42. 

“We are a good team that hasn't played a good team yet. We should be 3-0, and it's a good group we have, so it wasn’t an upset,” Head Coach Pete Wahlheim said.

The Sentinels managed to capitalize on the Trojans many mistakes and fumbles, following with four interceptions made by Sentinels’ Joseph Ferrance, Nico Pastore, Sloan Sweet and Ian Ellis. The Trojans defeated Sentinels, 43-7, last year at Seton’s home field. 

Junior wide receiver and cornerback RJ Fogerty had three touchdowns for the Sentinels, with a 35-yard touchdown, the first scoring play of the game. This was Fogerty’s first game back after the last game against Valley where he broke his collarbone.

                                                        RJ Fogerty making the catch on the run toward a touchdown. (Rory Self photo/Seton Catholic)

Going into the game, Fogerty felt, “a little nervous at first.” He has not been tackled since September 7, 2023.

“Once I got hit, I was all good and it was just lights out. I wasn't really thinking that much," Fogerty said. 

MENTALITY CHANGES A GAME

Wahlheim expressed his disappointment in the way the team did not finish the game.

“It's a new mentality with these guys and that's what frustrates me. We don't finish a game,” Wahlheim said. “But again, we’re learning, but it’s a process.” 

The team overall outshined the Trojans by a landslide.

“I'm just proud of my guys,” Wahlheim said.

After taking his coaching position back in 2019, Wahlheim and his team have grown together in these past years because “they’ve been through it with us.”

                             Seton Catholic returned the ball to Valley Christian after scoring another touchdown. (Danielle McDermott photo/AZPREPS365)

Running back No.9, Luc Aguilar, has repeatedly shown up on the board. Aguilar scored two touchdowns against the Trojans, even after being temporarily taken out of the game for limping during the second quarter, but quickly got taped up to run back out onto the field to finish the game. Last week, Aguilar surpassed the record for most rushing yards at Seton Catholic with 242 yards. Aguilar credits his offensive line for his success. 

“I have to give all the credit where credit is due to my offensive line,” Aguilar said. “My offensive line has been in the trenches doing the hard work that nobody sees, so I want to give them all the credit.”