KERNERSVILLE — The Villains beat the Crusaders Sept. 21 in what was dubbed the Catholic Bowl – the inaugural match-up on the gridiron between Bishop McGuinness High School and Christ the King High School in Huntersville.
Unfortunately for the Crusaders, the game was a rout: 84-8.
Bishop McGuinness’s Principal Tracy Shaw said, “It was truly an amazing night! It was a true testament to Catholic education and how the community can come together.”
Shaw said she enjoyed the camaraderie of the evening. “It was so nice to have our clergy here to cheer on the students from both schools. I hope that Christ the King and Bishop McGuinness can meet up again in athletic competitions. It really was great to be able to play another Catholic school.”
Christ the King’s Principal Dr. Carl Semmler said everyone had a great time at what was the homecoming game for Bishop McGuinness.
“The school was vibrant with students, great food, alumni, local Catholic middle school students and clergy from the area. What a great spirit!” Semmler said.
Pictured: Principals Dr. Carl Semmler and Tracy Shaw, along with school chaplains Father Christian Cook and Father Paul McNulty, pose for a photo before the Christ the King and Bishop McGuinness high schools ‘Catholic Bowl’ Sept. 21 in Kernersville. (Photo provided by Dr. Janice Ritter)
Semmler noted that the Christ the King community enjoyed being part of the first Catholic Bowl.
“Bishop McGuinness has a quality athletic program and we thank Principal Shaw for inviting us. I am very proud of my Crusader football players and our coaching staff. This is only our third year of having a football program and I believe that the men did a great job,” he said.
Bishop McGuinness’ chaplain Father Christian Cook wore a Catholic Bowl T-shirt over his clerics at the game.
“The game had such a great atmosphere, with families coming together for great pre-game activities, and then the game!” he said.
Five other diocesan priests attended the inaugural Catholic Bowl: Father John Putnam, Father John Eckert, Father Paul Buchanan, Father Brian Becker and Christ the King’s chaplain Father Paul McNulty.
“The priests of the diocese had a good time being together. We had a good time seeing some people from former parish assignments, etc., and we had great priestly fraternity on the sidelines,” Father Cook said. “We split time between standing on the Bishop McGuinness sideline and the CTK sideline.”
Father Cook noted that although the Villains won the contest handily, everyone appreciated what a young football program Christ the King has.
“It will not be long before they have a powerhouse program, and we look forward to continuing to grow this rivalry in future years,” he said.
Father McNulty was proud of his team’s efforts.
“Once again I was proud to watch our guys go up against an established program and fight, even when it was tough. They’ve got great heart and that is hard to come by. We’ll keep working and improving and meet the Villains again,” he said.
Father McNulty also agreed it was great to share in fellowship and fraternity with the Bishop McGuinness staff and his brother priests at the game.
The principal of the losing team agreed to wear the winner’s T-shirt to school after the victory. Semmler sported a navy blue Bishop McGuinness shirt at Christ the King Sept. 24. He also congratulated Bishop McGuinness on their win during the school’s morning announcements.
Said Shaw, “Dr. Semmler was a good sport about it all and I love how he looked in his Villain shirt!”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
