For the second time in five years, St. Mary’s is celebrating a state football championship. The Cardinals defeated Avon 54-6 on Thursday afternoon in Vermillion to win the 9B crown.
It was all St. Mary’s from the opening kickoff. Paired with early turnovers by the Pirates and touchdowns on the Cardinals first four offensive possessions, the momentum was clear from the get-go.
It’s also the first undefeated season for the St. Mary’s program.
“What an amazing group of young men,” said Cardinals head coach Ross Flemmer. “I couldn’t be more proud of them and happier for them. They set a goal and went out and achieved it. It was just awesome.”
Avon received to start the game, but an onside attempt on the kick was recovered by St. Mary’s to give the Cardinals the first possession of the contest. On a fourth down near midfield, Trimmier Hanson hit Kade Lutt for a 33-yard gain to put St. Mary’s into scoring range. Two plays later, Hanson ran it into the end zone from five yards out. The two-point conversion was successful, which put the Cardinals ahead early 8-0.
St. Mary’s attempted another onside kick after the score, but this time the Pirates were ready for it. Two plays later, however, Easton Sees fumbled the football for Avon, which was recovered by Lincoln LeBrun to put the Cardinals offense back on the field. Thomas LaVoy then broke free on the very next play for a 41-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was good again to increase St. Mary’s lead to 16-0.
The ball-handling woes continued for Avon on their next offensive possession as Cale Cooper fumbled it on a second-down play. Hanson forced it, and it was recovered by Carlo Pica to put the Cardinals offense back on the field. Two plays later, St. Mary’s scored again with a 22-yard run by LeBrun. With 7:15 to play in the opening quarter, the Cardinals led 24-0.
Avon was able to move the ball on their next drive on offense, but it eventually stalled close to the red zone. With less than a minute to go in the first quarter, St. Mary’s scored again on a 62-yard touchdown run by LeBrun.
End of the 1st Quarter | St. Mary’s 30 Avon 0
The Pirates found the end zone for the first time just over three minutes into the second quarter as Sees capped off a 58-yard drive with a one-yard quarterback keeper. A failed two-point conversion made it a 24-point deficit for Avon.
St. Mary’s went 32 yards on their drive following the Pirates touchdown, but it ended with a turnover on downs. Avon then went to work to try to make it a two-possession game before the break, but an interception by Jaxon Baumberger in the end zone kept it a three-score game going into halftime for the Cardinals.
Halftime | St Mary’s 30 Avon 6
The Cardinals received to start the second half. It resulted in a big stand by Avon’s defense, which forced a turnover on downs. The Pirates offensive ball control continued to struggle, however, as Trenton Soukup fumbled it on a pitch attempt that was scooped up and returned by Lutt for a 34-yard score. The successful two-point conversion made it a 38-6 lead for St. Mary’s.
On Avon’s next possession, Sees threw a pass on fourth down that was intercepted by LaVoy for a 33-yard pick-six. Hanson converted the two-point conversion by himself following the defensive score to make it a 46-6 game with around five minutes to play in the third quarter.
End of the 3rd Quarter | St. Mary’s 46 Avon 6
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Hanson hit Logan Bauer on a 63-yard connection down the middle of the field for another Cardinals touchdown.
Avon followed up the big St. Mary’s score with a turnover on downs. But they did get it back with starters pulled when Braylon Fathke intercepted a Jacob Geraets pass. Following the interception, Zander Fathke fumbled the football, which was recovered by Theodore Miller to put the Cardinals offense back on the field.
The Pirates got the ball back one more time when Cooper Libis fumbled, which was recovered by Sees and returned 38 yards, but they were unable to put it into the end zone before time expired.
Final | St. Mary’s 54 Avon 6
Lincoln LeBrun, one of the three seniors on this year’s St. Mary’s squad, finished with 154 yards of rushing and two touchdowns on the ground. He also led the team with ten tackles and had a fumble recovery as well. He was named the Joe Robbie MVP in the win.
“It’s really special. It’s like a family. We’re friends with all the guys, even the younger guys,” LeBrun stated. “You saw that this summer, we worked their butts off, and it all paid off. It’s definitely a good feeling.”
For coach Flemmer he also credits his senior trio – Lincoln LeBrun, Trimmier Hanson, and Carlo Pica.
“They’re a great group of leaders. They came out, they got work done,” said coach Flemmer. “Just a great group of football players and probably more importantly, a great group of young men.”
It’s the second state championship in school history for the St. Mary’s football program. With just three seniors on the roster, they’ll bring a strong core back for a run in 2026.
Outstanding Back | Lincoln LeBrun (St. Mary’s)
Outstanding Lineman | Alexander Lindeman (St. Mary’s)
Joe Robbie MVP | Lincoln LeBrun (St. Mary’s)
