Game/Recruiting Recap: Archbishop Stepinac Vs Chaminade

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1st Quarter </h2>   <p>The Crusaders took the field, ahead of the 24th Annual Joseph R Riverso Memorial Game, honoring first responders. Both teams kicked off Catholic League play under the lights, in what was a top game of the year this early in the season. Chaminade received the opening kickoff, and started the game with a handoff stopped at the line. Carnevale, and Genovese, connected for 2 catches and 20 yards in the next three plays, giving the Flyers some offense. On 3rd down, the pass to Genovese was caught but short of the line forcing a punt with 9 minutes remaining in the quarter. With [player_tooltip player_id='1364040' first='Jahmai' last='McNeil'] in to start the game, the Crusaders pounded the ground game with [player_tooltip player_id='1271411' first='John' last='Smith'], and [player_tooltip player_id='505860' first='Julani' last='Graham']. The Crusaders picked up one first down before being forced to punt with five minutes remaining in the first. Penalties haunted the Chaminade 2nd drive, as they picked up one first down, before punting the ball back to Stepinac with 2 minutes showing on the clock. The Crusaders continued with the ground game, which led to a huge fumble recovered by [player_tooltip player_id='606282' first='Luca' last='Smith'], with under a minute left. At the end of the first quarter, the score read 0-0 in a defensive battle. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZcory/status/1969173662512079037 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2nd Quarter</h2>   <p>The Chaminade offense came to life in the second quarter, as the first play brought the Flyers to first and goal. The next play saw [player_tooltip player_id='1513245' first='Anthony' last='Trapani'], take the handoff break some tackles and stay on his feet for the first score of the game, to make the score 7-0 Chaminade with 10:21 left in the half. After a nice return, Stepinac put [player_tooltip player_id='1642284' first='Grayer' last='Hong'] in at QB. The 2027 QB connected with [player_tooltip player_id='1208805' first='Jordyn' last='Eaton'], getting the ground game going and showing some offense for Stepinac. After a Hong fumble recovered by the Crusaders, the Flyers defense came to life, and forced a punt with 7:22 left in the first half. The Chaminade offense, continued to go to work, with [player_tooltip player_id='939944' first='Sean' last='Carnevale'] completing passes and bringing his team inside the red zone. After a Chaminade Timeout, the Stepinac defense stepped up and forced a stop. Chaminade kicked a FG, that was debated for by both sidelines, but ultimately ruled good, making the score 10-0 with 4:54 to play in the half. Stepinac moved to the ground game which worked, as [player_tooltip player_id='1271411' first='John' last='Smith'], and [player_tooltip player_id='505860' first='Julani' last='Graham'] brought the Crusaders inside FG territory to get on the board. With time expiring, the Crusaders punched In a FG, making the score 10-3 Chaminade at the half. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZcory/status/1969184493081657734 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3rd Quarter</h2>   <p>Stepinac received the ball to start the second half. The first play was a small gain on the ground with [player_tooltip player_id='1271411' first='John' last='Smith']. On the second play, a bad snap occurred leading to a huge fumble where Chaminade jumped on the ball and set themselves up with amazing field position. The drive for Chaminade stalled out, after a penalty and a few busted plays, forcing a FG. Chaminade's kicker hit it off the cross bar, giving the ball right back to Stepinac with 9:06 to play. With the Crusaders restarting, they had a few solid plays, getting a small drive going. After a physical catch by [player_tooltip player_id='1208805' first='Jordyn' last='Eaton'] that was marked short, the Crusaders punted back to the Flyers, with 6:59 to play. The Crusader Defense forced a quick three-and out getting the ball back in less then a minute, where the offense exploded. After a few short gains, Stepinac found WR [player_tooltip player_id='1208805' first='Jordyn' last='Eaton'] for a huge gain to put them inside the ten. A few plays later, [player_tooltip player_id='505860' first='Julani' last='Graham'] punched it in evening the score up at 10. The quarter ended with a 10-10 tie, as we headed towards the final minutes in White Plains. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZcory/status/1969203413842825520 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4th Quarter</h2>   <p>Chaminade received the ball after the score to start the Quarter. The atmosphere had changed, and the Stepinac team was motivated. The Chaminade offense was struggling, and found themselves in their own territory on their down. DE [player_tooltip player_id='820269' first='Eddie' last='Keeler'] made the play of the game for the Crusaders, as after a fumble he scooped up the ball and took it to the house, giving Stepinac their first lead of the game 17-10, with 10 minutes remaining. The lead did not last long, as on the second play of the Chaminade drive, [player_tooltip player_id='1513245' first='Anthony' last='Trapani'] took it 80 yards to give us a tie at 17 with 9:41 left. Both teams would trade three-and outs for the next few minutes, and Stepinac got the ball after a punt with 4:38 left hoping to end the game. The Crusaders started a methodical drive, slowly moving down the field to reach FG range or even score with little time left. On third down, the Crusaders were forced to throw the ball, which created the craziest play of the game. The pass was batted up, and intercepted. Chaminade had their momentum changer, and reached deep into the Stepinac territory on the return. With under a minute remaining the Flyers began to set up the FG unit with a straight kick, and short distance. With the clock reading 0:06, Chaminade trotted the kicker out on the field to end the game. While Chaminade was ready to end the game, Stepinac said not so fast, on the kick, the Crusaders reached up and blocked the kick, with the ball not reaching the end zone. Celebration erupted from the Stepinac sidelines, as we were headed to OT, tied at 17. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZcory/status/1969214426545832320 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1st OT</h2>   <p>The first OT saw little offense on the Stepinac side, with 4 plays ran, and 0 points to show for it. With Chaminade now needing a FG to win it they moved the ball slowly into range, until the defense stopped them. With the FG unit trotting out, the game looked over. Once again, the Crusader defense came to life, and blocked the kick. Tied at 17, we were heading to the 2nd OT. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZcory/status/1969216769345671406 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2nd OT</h2>   <p>Chaminade got the ball first to start the second OT, and it could not have started worse. After an incomplete pass and a hold, the Flyer's had 3-15, from the 30-yard line. Needing a first down, [player_tooltip player_id='939944' first='Sean' last='Carnevale'], found [player_tooltip player_id='606305' first='Sean' last='Powers'] towards the sideline for a beautiful catch, after a highlight reel spin move, Powers trotted into the end zone giving Chaminade the lead. The Flyer's extra point was good, making the score 24-17. It was the Crusaders turn, with the game on the line and Stepinac needing a touchdown. After a failed trick play, Stepinac found [player_tooltip player_id='1208805' first='Jordyn' last='Eaton'] wide open across the middle, where he trotted in to make it a 24-23 game. Coach Magee and Stepinac chose to go for it with the hopes of ending the game right there. The ball was snapped and handed off to [player_tooltip player_id='1271411' first='John' last='Smith'], who gained a yard before being hit by the Chaminade Defense. After a second effort to reach the goal line, he was taken down, ending the game 24-23 with Chaminade on top. With the stop we saw Chaminade rush the field, after winning the game of the season and picking up a huge Catholic League win 24-23 over Archbishop Stepinac. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PRZcory/status/1969219790033100958 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chaminade Recruiting Roundup</h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939944' first='Sean' last='Carnevale']</strong>: The Chaminade QB had himself a day against Stepinac. His accuracy, and arm strength were on full display throughout the day. He stood tall in the pocket, and delivered all game, despite constant pressure. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1649146' first='Michael' last='Genovese']</strong>: Genovese was the top pass catcher for the Flyers. The Chaminade WR, displayed outstanding route running and good hands throughout the game. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='805814' first='Declan' last='Miller']</strong>: In a game where the Chaminade O-Line allowed 15 pressures, Miller was a bright spot on the O-Line. Miller kept his area of the backfield clean and allowed [player_tooltip player_id='939944' first='Sean' last='Carnevale'] time to throw and complete passes. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1513245' first='Anthony' last='Trapani']</strong>: Trapani was easily the player of the game for Chaminade. He dominated on both sides of the ball, filling up the stat sheet. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='606305' first='Sean' last='Powers']</strong>: Powers had a beautiful catch and spin move run in OT, to give Chaminade the lead, which they eventually held onto. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575806' first='Matthew' last='Arias']</strong>: Arias has outstanding size, and was visible from both sidelines. He had multiple tackles and pressures throughout the game, and was a vocal leader on the defensive side of the ball. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Archbishop Stepinac Recruiting Roundup</h2>   <p><strong>QB's</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1364040' first='Jahmai' last='McNeil'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1642284' first='Grayer' last='Hong'] shared snaps during the game, with both having solid drives and mistakes. Both QB's played solid, and showed leadership throughout the game. </p>   <p><strong>RB's</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1271411' first='John' last='Smith'], proved himself as a quick physical back who can make cuts and reach his top speed quickly. [player_tooltip player_id='505860' first='Julani' last='Graham'], surprised me as two-way player, who showed great vision, breaking free for multiple runs. </p>   <p><strong>WR's</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1208805' first='Jordyn' last='Eaton'], [player_tooltip player_id='820268' first='Richie' last='DeMarco'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1105253' first='Ethan' last='Espinal'], all had outstanding games, displaying good route running and YAC against a strong defense. </p>   <p><strong>O-Line</strong>: Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1292163' first='Max' last='Bucci'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1364039' first='Daniel' last='Davitt'], kept the backfield clean throughout the game, limiting the strong Chaminade pass rush all game. </p>   <p><strong>Defensive Line</strong>: It is hard to pick and choose between these players, as all had outstanding performances. Players like Derek Watson, [player_tooltip player_id='819994' first='Ka'Mauri' last='Guinyard'], and [player_tooltip player_id='820269' first='Eddie' last='Keeler'] were a big part of the 15 QB pressures the Crusaders picked up. Stepinac proved they have a top D-Line in the Catholic League. </p>