Calvary Baptist vs. St. Charles Cath. | Championship Eye Catchers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Calvary Baptist scored the final three touchdowns in the Division-III Select title game to overcome a 15-point deficit late in the third quarter and nine in the final minutes of the fourth to two-time defending champion St. Charles Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A workhorse performance by running back [player_tooltip player_id='710073' first='James' last='Simon'] led the Cavaliers much of the contest, the defense came up with key stops and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='144901' first='Abram' last='Wardell'] took over late all the way to the game-winning throw to receiver [player_tooltip player_id='291081' first='Kolby' last='Thomas'] with 18 seconds remaining.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few more notes on 10 of the biggest eye-catching performers from the contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1202568' first='Kaden' last='Cambre'] — 5-10, 160 DB — St. Charles Catholic (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior defensive back recorded six tackles, including one of loss, and broke up a pass on defense, but had one of his biggest plays come on special teams with a blocked extra point early that helped keep Calvary Baptist playing from at least slightly behind nearly the entire contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaden Foster — 5-10, 160 DB — St. Charles Catholic (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another of the Comets' senior defensive backs in a disciplined and physical secondary finished with eight tackles and a deflection that teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1204752' first='Brayden' last='Bertucci'] managed to snatch for an interception off the ricochet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285616' first='Hutch' last='Grace'] — 6-0, 210 LB — Calvary Baptist (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior linebacker led the team with eight tackles, including one for loss, and a fumble recovery in the final seconds to help seal the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139473' first='Aubrey' last='Hermes'] — 6-2, 175 WR — Calvary Baptist (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior wide receiver seemed to live open for his seven catches and 96 yards, including the 20-yard touchdown in final minutes to help pull the Cavaliers within 28-26. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1202557' first='Daniel' last='Joseph'] — 6-4, 180 WR — St. Charles Catholic (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets are traditionally known more for their rushing attack than their passing threat, but the big target stepped up for his fellow senior Brady St. Pierre to catch four passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns, a 68-yard screen on which he got loose up the sideline for the long gain and another well-run play and route from 14 yards out in the red zone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291164' first='Cole' last='Miller'] — 6-2, 200 LB — Calvary Baptist (2025) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior linebacker finished with three tackles, including one for loss, as well as a forced fumble, fumble recovery and other disruptive plays such as a second down late in the third quarter on which he burst into the backfield and rushed the Comets into a stop near the line by his teammate to help force a punt during a scoreless final 18 minutes by St. Charles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710073' first='James' last='Simon'] — 6-0, 200 RB — Calvary Baptist (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly recruited junior back followed in his father's footsteps with Outstanding Player honors for his 191-yard, three-touchdown rushing performance — all three of the Cavaliers' scores until the final minutes — on a 30-carry workload. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291081' first='Kolby' last='Thomas'] — 5-10, 160 WR — Calvary Baptist (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior receiver had to navigate the ups and downs of targets during this season in a deep, senior-led corps and make the most of his opportunities when his turns arose. And he was ready to do so once more with the season on the line late with six catches for 61 yards and the game-winning touchdown and lead-stretching two-point play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='144901' first='Abram' last='Wardell'] — 6-0, 190 QB — Calvary Baptist (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior quarterback wrapped the season with another efficient performance, particularly considering the stout opposition, with his 24-for-32 passing for 249 yards and two late touchdowns and his lone interception coming on a fortuitous — for St. Charles — ricochet off a breakup. Wardell's poise, vision and use of his eyes late as he helped free up and find his receivers downfield was impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1202562' first='Jeramiah' last='Wills'] — 5-11, 165 RB — St. Charles Catholic (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior running back had another big day on the ground for the Comets with his 13 carries for 73 yards and two touchdowns, one a 46-yard breakaway and the other a 4-yarder near the goal line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->