The annual rivalry game between St. John’s and Gonzaga carried extra weight this year, as St. Johns needed the win to ensure their season continued into the playoffs. Gonzaga came into the game heavily favored, but that did not seem to faze St. Johns as they stepped onto the field in front of 4,500 fans.

MVP

Daniel Wright

St. Johns

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Daniel Patrick Wright

St. Johns

The winner from St. Johns High School is Daniel Patrick Wright, son of Jeremiah Wright and Kenice Middleton. Danny has been a two-way starter at St. Johns since his sophomore year and played an instrumental role in the Gonzaga – St. John’s game in both 2008 and 2009. He is currently enrolled in Honors World Literature, AP Environmental Science, and Honors Spanish 4. Danny is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.

Thomas Lynch

Gonzaga

The scholarship recipient from Gonzaga is Thomas Lynch, son of Lisa Rice and James Lynch. Thomas is a three-year varsity letterman in football and a two-year letterman in track and field, where he was first team All Washington DC in discus and shot put. He is also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is the current East Coast NASKA continuous sparring champion. Thomas plans to study physical therapy and physiology in college.

HALL OF FAME

Jay Williams

St. Johns

Jay Williams was the team captain his senior year (1989) when St. John’s beat Gonzaga 24-0. It was SJC’s first win in the series in 10 years. St John’s went on to win the Catholic League title against DeMatha. Jay then played at Wake Forest before beginning a 10-year NFL career with the Rams, Panthers, and Dolphins.

Brian Gallagher

Gonzaga

Brian played three years in Gonzaga-St. John’s, 1995-1997. Starting at defensive back his sophomore year, he threw a double pass that broke a 14-14 tie with Gonzaga going on to win the game 21-14. Brian was the starting quarterback in his junior and senior years, leading Gonzaga to two consecutive shut-outs against St John’s, 20-0 in 1996 and 25-0 in 1997. As co-captain as a senior, Brian led Gonzaga to its second consecutive WCAC Championship. He went to Lafayette College and Catholic University, playing a season at each before going to the University of Baltimore Law School. Brian served as Chief of Military Justice/Prosecutor and was deployed to Iraq in 2008. He is currently serving as a federal litigation attorney in the US Air Force JAG Corps.

GAME SUMMARY

Gonzaga controlled the field and game for most of the first and second quarter. However, St. Johns made their own plays throughout to tie the game at 14-14 by halftime. During the fourth, St. Johns scored two more touchdowns before the clock ran out, winning the game 27-21.