Catholic Memorial Football Beats Xaverian with Rust’s Leadership

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 16, 2026

Senior quarterback Kingston Rust led Catholic Memorial to a 42-21 victory over No. 7 Xaverian, highlighted by multiple touchdowns from Rust and wide receiver Ramar Thomas. The win reinforced Catholic Memorial’s top ranking by demonstrating their dominant offense and defense, while disrupting Xaverian’s attempts at a comeback through key turnovers.

Senior quarterback Kingston Rust led Catholic Memorial to a 42-21 victory over No. 7 Xaverian in a high-profile high school football matchup at Catholic Memorial’s home field. The game, which took place on Friday, saw the second-ranked Knights maintain control from start to finish against the Hawks, who entered with a 2-4 record.

Rust quickly set the tone early in the contest, connecting with junior wide receiver Ramar Thomas on the team’s third offensive snap for a 57-yard touchdown. Thomas, described by Catholic Memorial coach John DiBiaso as “the most explosive kid in the state,” continued making significant contributions with a 24-yard rushing touchdown and a 20-yard receiving score before halftime, helping the Knights build a 21-7 lead at the break.

Xaverian responded aggressively to start the second half, forcing a fumble on the opening play and capitalizing with senior quarterback Will Wood rushing 25 yards for a touchdown. However, Rust answered immediately on the subsequent drive with a 68-yard touchdown run, escaping pressure and running down the sideline to extend the lead once more.

Wood spearheaded a six-play, 92-yard drive late in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to seven points by finding junior Sargent Chizmadia for a 65-yard reception before scoring himself on a three-yard run. Despite Wood’s efforts, Catholic Memorial’s defense consistently pressured the Hawks, sacking Wood four times and forcing three fumbles over the course of the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Knights pulled away with rushing touchdowns from Rust and senior JD Marrero while the defense continued to disrupt Xaverian’s offense by recovering two additional fumbles. Wood finished with 100 passing yards, 78 rushing yards, and three touchdowns, but the turnovers and persistent pressure hindered Xaverian’s ability to mount a comeback.

Catholic Memorial improved its record while denying Xaverian a repeat of last year’s 25-22 victory over the Knights. The win showcased Catholic Memorial’s balanced offensive attack and opportunistic defense, highlighting the impact of Rust’s leadership and Thomas’s athleticism in a rivalry marked by intensity and strong emotions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.