CBC-De Smet: Game Recap & Players of the Game

The much-anticipated Metro Catholic Conference rivalry game between CBC and visiting De Smet, two of Missouri’s top Class 6 squads, was a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final minutes on Friday night. In the end, it was senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="37608" first="Patrick" last="Heitert"] and the CBC Cadets who pulled out a 44-29 victory and ended a four-game losing streak against the reigning MCC champion Spartans. CBC (2-1) used a 23-point second-quarter to take a 23-14 lead into halftime, but De Smet (1-2) answered with an touchdown pass early in the third quarter to cut the Cadets’ lead to two – the difference being a safety in the second quarter off a bad punt snap. CBC didn’t fold after the early second-half touchdown by the visitors. The Cadets scored 21 unanswered points on two Heitert touchdown runs and a 40-yard fumble recovery by junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="103780" first="Michael" last="Teason"]. De Smet responded to Heitert’s fourth touchdown run of the night with a 99-yard kickoff return by junior speedster [player_tooltip player_id="37662" first="Christian" last="Gray"] to cut the deficit to 15 points with 2 minutes 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but wouldn’t get any closer. Here is a quick look at the players of the game... <strong>CBC</strong> <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="37608" first="Patrick" last="Heitert"], 6-1, 190, Class of 2022</strong> Heitert got off to a slow start on Friday night, including throwing an early interception, but he got the Cadets offense going with his legs early in the second quarter. He finished with 138 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries and completed 13 of 29 passes for 235 yards and one touchdown (against one interception). So on a bit of an off night, Heitert accounted for 373 total yards and five touchdowns. Through three games, against East St. Louis (Ill.), O’Fallon (Ill.) and De Smet, Heitert has thrown for 817 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 123 yards and five scores. <strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id="37675" first="Tyler" last="Gant"], 6-4, 270, Class of 2023</strong> A Division I prospect with several offers, Gant has made a big impact in all three of CBC’s games so far this season. Against De Smet he had four tackles and two of the Cadets’ seven sacks, giving him four sacks through three games. He’s a handful for opposing offenses to deal with. <strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id="99471" first="Dakotah" last="Mayo"], 5-10, 165, Class of 2023</strong> A Division I prospect with offers from Kansas and Arkansas State, Mayo got off to a slow start with four catches in the first two weeks but equaled the number against De Smet. The junior speedster finished with four catches for 97 yards, both team highs, and while he didn’t reach the end zone he put his team in position to score on a long catch and run down the right sideline. <strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id="103094" first="Collin" last="Bell"], 6-1, 270, Class of 2022</strong> Bell made his senior season debut after suffering a knee injury in the offseason and he made an immediate impact. Bell recorded two sacks and, along with Gant and his teammates up front, was able to slow down the Spartans’ rushing attack and chase the quarterback all night. The CBC defense got better with Bell’s return. <strong>DE SMET</strong> <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="37660" first="Christian" last="Cotton"], 5-10, 185, Class of 2023</strong> Cotton was under pressure for much of the game, for the second straight week, but was able to make plays and keep the chains moving. He threw touchdown passes to seniors [player_tooltip player_id="101667" first="Gavin" last="Bomstad"] and Curtis Mayes and was able to buy time with his legs to find open receivers and also escape pressure to gain positive yardage. Cotton is undersized as a college prospect, but he’s a dual-threat playmaker with a strong arm and will play at the next level. <strong>CB [player_tooltip player_id="37662" first="Christian" last="Gray"], 6-2, 175, Class of 2023</strong> Gray showed off his elite speed for the second straight game with another long kickoff return touchdown. Gray returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown with 2:23 remaining. The junior cornerback already has offers from some of the top programs in college football, including Ohio State, Oklahoma and Notre Dame, and his size and speed will lead to offers from almost everyone before he finishes high school. <strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id="101710" first="Keshawn" last="Ford"], 5-11, 190, Class of 2023 (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16103809/613cb3f223473c02701a445e">HUDL highlights</a>)</strong> Ford scored his third touchdown of the season on a 5-yard scamper late in the second quarter where he was bottled up on the right side and reversed field and found daylight to the left. He’s a strong, physical runner with good burst who can also contribute in the passing game, either with picking up blitzes or as an escape valve. Ford is at his third high school in three years – Pattonville as a freshman, Trinity as a sophomore and now De Smet after Trinity closed – and he’s now able to put plays on film that should draw more attention from college coaches. <em><strong>You can follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">@natelatsch</a>.</strong></em>