ATLANTA - It was a home game unlike any other. Just 12 hours after the NFL's Atlanta Falcons played a pre-season game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the St. Pius X Catholic High School Golden Lions football squad roared to a 15-12 victory over Dunwoody on that very same field, in front of thousands of raucous fans. The game marked the first in the Benz for PiHi, who were invited to play in the prestigious Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic for the first time. 

The varsity football Golden Lions arrived nearly three hours ahead of their morning kickoff time, just to soak in the unique atmosphere. “There were a lot of googly eyes, they wanted to see themselves on the halo board and everything,” said SPX head coach Chad Garrison. “We wanted to get down here a little early so they could get that out of their system and be ready to go at 10 o'clock.”

After the St. Pius X Marching Golden Lions opened the entire four-game program with the playing of the National Anthem, the Dunwoody Wilcats struck first with a 22-yard field goal from veteran kicker Christian Lee. But seemingly out of nowhere, on 3rd and 18 in the second quarter, a perfectly lofted pass from Pius senior quarterback Dexter Mosley found a streaking Conley Goodlife for a 54-yard touchdown play. Aiden Magee's extra-point kick made it 7-3 Golden Lions.

Linebacker Jackson Apgar had two interceptions on the night, part of an impressive Golden Lions defense that held the Wildcats at bay time and time again. After Dunwoody took a 12-7 lead in the fourth quarter, the Pius defense crucially stopped the 2-point conversion. The Lions knew they had to deliver on what could be their final drive of the game, and deliver they did. Mosley found junior receiver Casen Bosseler for a 43-yard gain, and minutes later junior Aiden Francois, later named the game's most valuable player, ran the ball in for a 6-yard touchdown. Mosley danced through the Wildcat defense for a 2-point conversion, giving the Lions a 15-12 lead. A strong effort from the defensive unit held Dunwoody scoreless for the remaining 3:30 in the game. 

“We stopped them twice inside the 1 (yard line), made a great fourth down stop, our kids bowed their necks, and bent, bent, bent but they didn't give in, I'm just so proud of all our kids, they did a great job tonight. I'm just so happy I can't stand it, I'm so happy for the kids, so proud of our community, St. Pius, unbelievable! Thank you so much for what you do!”

The victory sent the team and its fans into a joyous frenzy. The student fan section, affectionately known as The Jungle, was ecstatic, and many joined the team back at the St. Pius campus for the traditional ringing of the bells.

St. Pius X (1-0, 0-0) next hosts local rivals Lakeside at George B. Maloof stadium on Friday night, August 22, at 7:30pm.