By Joe Kvantunas
Paul VI student
Friday night’s game between Bishop McNamara and Paul VI Catholic was a game that was definitely worth watching twice. It truly had it all: great defensive plays, huge offensive plays and an ending that normally only exists in books and movies.
In the end, McNamara won, 20-18, with a 95-yard touchdown drive in less than one minute. The drive was highlighted by a hook-and-ladder on third-and-20 and capped off by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Clark to Jerome Couplin III as time expired.
For the Mustangs (3-2), the comeback win was much needed after St. John’s came back against them last weekend to win.
“God was with us tonight,” McNamara Coach Bryce Bevil said. “I also have to hand it to our players. They stepped up when they needed to and it paid off.”
Paul VI (2-3) scored on its second drive of the game behind a 12-play, 82-yard drive, highlighted by a 20-yard run by junior running back Idreas Augustus and capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run by senior fullback Dan McGroarty with one minute, 52 seconds left in the first quarter.
However, PVI was only able to get six points off of that touchdown due to the lack of veteran kicker/ punter Owen Scarbrough who was out due to a sprained foot.
Bishop McNamara didn’t get on the board until 3:17 left in the second quarter when Clark hit Maryland recruit Brandon Coleman with an 11-yard pass to cap off a three-play, 36-yard drive. The Mustangs scored again in the third quarter to take a 14-6 lead.
Paul VI got the ball at the start of the fourth quarter and drove down the field behind Augustus, who finished it with a 5-yard touchdown run with 7:39 remaining to bring the score to 14-12. On the day, Augustas had 136 rushing yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns.
After a 30-yard kickoff, McNamara went three-and-out. With the ball back in their possession and on third down, McGoarty ripped off a 25-yard run to put the Panthers in the red zone. On the very next play, Augustus ran the ball 15 yards up the middle for a touchdown with 5:09 remaining to put Paul VI ahead, 18-14.
After a 20-yard kickoff by the Panthers, Clark was sacked by Paul VI junior Steven Musket for a 20-yard loss. A 3-yard run, 4-yard run and a 15-yard pass brought the Mustangs to fourth-and-one. An incomplete pass by Clark forced a turnover on downs.
With PVI running out the clock all hope for McNamara seemed lost, but then Paul VI failed to reach a first down on fourth-and-four, giving the Mustangs one last chance. Still, McNamara had to drive 95 yards in 58.6 seconds.
Clark connected with Brandon Coleman for two 15-yard pass plays. Then he threw an incomplete pass and the Mustangs were called for two offensive penalties. On third-and-20, Clark connected with Coleman who, while still in mid-air, lateralled to senior wide out Darrian Carmichael who ran the ball 50 yards down the sideline before being pushed out of bounds at the 15-yard line.
Clark hit Couplin III for 10 yards and with 2.8 seconds left then found Couplin III with a 5-yard TD pass for the win.
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