University High knew they'd have to gamble to beat St. Paul's. See how their risks paid off.

U-High defensive lineman Barton Phillips (37) lines up for a play against Catholic in the first quarter on Friday, September 20, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save University High didn’t plan to attempt a fake punt on the second possession of its 29-12 win against St. Paul’s Friday night.

The Cubs knew they had it in their back pocket but didn’t know when exactly to pull it out. What U-High (4-1) did know and did plan to do was to come out swinging against a strong St. Paul's (3-2) defensive front.

So when coach Andy Martin saw an opportunity to deliver an early blow, he decided to trust Keylan Moses with the ball. Moses took the direct snap on a fourth and six then he broke off to the left before cutting it back to the right sideline untouched for the 49-yard score. But U-High wasn’t done.

Martin called an option pitch for the 2-point conversion and an 8-0 lead. That set the stage for the runaway win. “We just saw something open and decided to take it,” Martin said.

“(Moses is) a special player. He made a good play, we had some great blocking there and he was able to do something with it.” Moses’ run wasn’t the last time U-High rolled the dice.

With both teams bogged down in a 15-6 defensive battle in the fourth quarter, Martin again went for it on fourth down at the 1-yard line. Corbin Odell punched in his second touchdown of the night up the middle to give U-High its first.