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Benedictine won their 1st State championship since the 2013 season by defeating Bishop Ireton 23-7. The Cadets defense held Bishop Ireton to only 115 total yards while also scoring a touchdown and forcing two critical turnovers in the final quarter.
The championship contest was tied 7-7 entering the fourth quarter and you had the feeling that one big play would decide who would go home with the title. That play was made by Benedictine senior David Pilot who stepped in front of a pass intended for Ryan Verducci and returned it 30-yards for a touchdown to give the Cadets a 17-7 lead with 8:56 to go.
"It was awesome to see David Pilot make that play," Benedictine head coach Greg Lilly said. "David has been one of our unsung heroes throughout the past three years so to see him make that play was great."
Moments later, Mikey McDonald forced a fumble that sophomore Graham Flinn returned to the Bishop Ireton 7-yard line. Scott Bracey scored from 1-yard out to extend the lead to 23-7 after the extra point. The Cadets defense then stop Bishop Ireton on downs to all but secure the win. Flinn also had an interception just before the end of the 1st half.
"We really stepped up with coverage," McDonald said about the Cadets defense. "Our secondary stepped up big time and the D-line stepped up with pressure."
McDonald finished the game with two sacks and a t-least a half dozen hurries. He also made it tough on the Bishop Ireton punting game by busting thrown the blocking scheme.
"Mikey's been the backbone of our program the past three years," Lilly said about McDonald. "He's been doing this for four years now. He just one of those throwback players."
Bishop Ireton scored their only points in the second quarter thanks to their special teams denying Benedictine to get a punt off deep inside their own territory. The Cardinals missed a field goal but a roughing the kicker penalty gave them a second chance. Joe Dickinson connected with Andrew Smith on a slant for 6-yards to give Bishop Ireton a 7-0 led with 2:47 remaining before halftime. Benedictine answered with a 7-play 65-yard drive that ended with a screen pass. Ramon Jones benefitted from a great block from Robert Reidy to score a touchdown from 6-yards out to tie the game at 7-7.
Benedictine broke the tie on their first possession of the second half. Duke recruit Scott Bracey led the Cadets on a 12-play, 53-yard drive to setup a 22-yard field goal by Cameron Cougill. Bracey converted two third down opportunities including a 20-yard run. He finished with 122 yards rushing on 20 carries while completing 15 of 21 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown.
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This post was edited on 11/16 10:24 AM by wgarlick
Benedictine won their 1st State championship since the 2013 season by defeating Bishop Ireton 23-7. The Cadets defense held Bishop Ireton to only 115 total yards while also scoring a touchdown and forcing two critical turnovers in the final quarter.
The championship contest was tied 7-7 entering the fourth quarter and you had the feeling that one big play would decide who would go home with the title. That play was made by Benedictine senior David Pilot who stepped in front of a pass intended for Ryan Verducci and returned it 30-yards for a touchdown to give the Cadets a 17-7 lead with 8:56 to go.
"It was awesome to see David Pilot make that play," Benedictine head coach Greg Lilly said. "David has been one of our unsung heroes throughout the past three years so to see him make that play was great."
Moments later, Mikey McDonald forced a fumble that sophomore Graham Flinn returned to the Bishop Ireton 7-yard line. Scott Bracey scored from 1-yard out to extend the lead to 23-7 after the extra point. The Cadets defense then stop Bishop Ireton on downs to all but secure the win. Flinn also had an interception just before the end of the 1st half.
"We really stepped up with coverage," McDonald said about the Cadets defense. "Our secondary stepped up big time and the D-line stepped up with pressure."
McDonald finished the game with two sacks and a t-least a half dozen hurries. He also made it tough on the Bishop Ireton punting game by busting thrown the blocking scheme.
"Mikey's been the backbone of our program the past three years," Lilly said about McDonald. "He's been doing this for four years now. He just one of those throwback players."
Bishop Ireton scored their only points in the second quarter thanks to their special teams denying Benedictine to get a punt off deep inside their own territory. The Cardinals missed a field goal but a roughing the kicker penalty gave them a second chance. Joe Dickinson connected with Andrew Smith on a slant for 6-yards to give Bishop Ireton a 7-0 led with 2:47 remaining before halftime. Benedictine answered with a 7-play 65-yard drive that ended with a screen pass. Ramon Jones benefitted from a great block from Robert Reidy to score a touchdown from 6-yards out to tie the game at 7-7.
Benedictine broke the tie on their first possession of the second half. Duke recruit Scott Bracey led the Cadets on a 12-play, 53-yard drive to setup a 22-yard field goal by Cameron Cougill. Bracey converted two third down opportunities including a 20-yard run. He finished with 122 yards rushing on 20 carries while completing 15 of 21 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown.
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This post was edited on 11/16 10:24 AM by wgarlick
