CROWLEY – The St. Michael Saints used a big-play offense and a stifling defense to claim their third straight Rice Bowl victory over the Crowley Middle School Jr. Gents at Gardiner Memorial Stadium last week.

The Saints scored three times, twice on 40-yard runs, and their defense pitched a shutout in a 22-0 victory.

St. Michael running back Collin Kirsch got the Saints on the board in the second quarter when he broke loose for a 40-yard touchdown run. Saints’ quarterback Bryant Thevis then hit Hunter LeJeune in the end zone to complete the 2-point conversion and put the Saints up 8-0.

Sam Hoffpauir added to the lead in the fourth quarter when he also scored from 40 yards out. Jacob Link’s PAT increased the lead to 15-0.

Mason Romero put the finishing touches on the game later in the frame when he scored on a 6-yard run. Link added the PAT to push the lead to 22-0.

Hoffpauir did most of the damage for the Saints on the ground. He racked up 153 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries while also hauling in one pass for 20 yards.

Romero added 67 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries and Kirsh had two carries for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Anthony Wilson led the Gents with seven carries for 26 yards. Devante Joseph had nine carries for 13 yards and Cardracus George had two carries for two yards.

Joseph also completed three passes for 44 yards. Wilson had one catch for 16 yards and Quanterral Robinson and Darrid Romero each had one reception for 14 yards.

St. Michael finished the regular season with a record of 5-1. The Gents went 3-4.

The Saints will be in action again Wednesday when they take on Cathedral at Gardiner Memorial Stadium in a playoff game. Kickoff for that contest is slated for 6 p.m.