In a matchup over 50 years since its last chapter, Rockhurst and St. Pius X didn’t disappoint.

The two long-time Missouri Catholic schools faced off for the first time since 1974, with the Hawklets winning, 24-12, at Severino Field at Dasta Stadium on Friday night. The two will face again in 2025 in the Northland.

After an early lockdown, the No. 4-ranked Hawklets pounded at the ground game while clamping down on No. 14 Pius to notch the win. The quartet of Van Pham, Pierce Fisher, Cash Lewandowski and Beau Neuburger combined for 221 rushing yards, while the defense held Pius to just 65 on the ground.

“Pius is a really good football team, and we knew that coming in,” stated head coach Kelly Donohoe. “For the first game with a whole bunch of new players, really proud of this group. Better days are ahead and this is going to be a really good football team for us.”

The Warriors (0-1) did take an early 3-0 lead, but the Rock ground game eventually led to a 38-yard Neuburger 38-yard run to set up a Fisher 5-yard touchdown and a 6-3 lead with 1:13 left in the first quarter. The Hawklets pushed the margin to 12-3 at the end of the half when senior quarterback Charlie Loose found tight end Kevin Sullivan for a seven-yard score to a cap a 13-play, 77-yard drive with 4:36 left. Pius concluded the half with a 35-yard field goal before intermission for a 12-6 margin.

Rockhurst opened up the second half with another scoring drive, capped by a 12-yard run from Lewandowski for an 18-6 lead with 8:20 left in the third.

The Warriors didn’t go away, as multiple connections from quarterback Hudson Bailey to Jackson Rotterman set up a Larry Cascone one-yard touchdown tote to trail 18-12 to open the final period at the 11:06 mark.

After a trading stops, the Warriors got the ball back with five minutes left to play, looking to drive for a late touchdown. But Lewandowski played savior once again, stripping the ball away for a Gage Nelson fumble recovery. The Hawklets put the game away with Loose finding Michael Tafoya for a 20-yard gain and key first down, followed Pham punching it in from 11 yards away to go up, 24-12, with just 3:27 remaining.

Fisher led the Hawklets with 106 rushing yards and a score, while Lewandowski paced the defense with five tackles, a sack and forced fumble. Rockhurst will travel to Raymore-Peculiar (0-1) next Friday.

Bailey led the Warriors with 159 passing yards. St. Pius X will take on St. Michael the Archangel, a 35-28 comeback winner over Summit Christian on Friday.