Game/Recruiting Recap: Cardinal Hayes Vs St. Joseph Collegiate

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1st Quarter</h2>   <p>The rain disappeared following the first game in Albany, leading into a beautiful ceremony, honoring the victims of 9/11 where CBA-Albany, Cardinal Hayes, St. Joseph Collegiate, and Monsignor Farrell gathered on the field for a moment of silence as the rain which plagued the second half of the first game disappeared. Following the ceremony, kickoff was underway and the second game, featuring Cardinal Hayes Vs St. Joseph Collegiate. The game kicked off, and we were underway with the middle game of the Heroes Bowl. The first quarter was a defensive showcase, with multiple punts, and solid defensive efforts by both teams. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2nd Quarter</h2>   <p>On their first drive of the second quarter, Hayes drove down the field, and capped off their first drive of the season, with a beautiful touchdown grab, by Erik Dorbneck, on a solid throw by [player_tooltip player_id='1883734' first='Johnnye' last='Booker']. The extra point was blocked by the Marauders, keeping the score 6-0. St. Joesph Collegiate, got the ball back and started to drive down the field, which was halted, after a key fumble granted Cardinal Hayes the ball back, Hayes, punched in their second passing touchdown of the afternoon, to take a 12-0 lead into the half in Albany. </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/rayteodora1/status/1964414527094870073 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3rd Quarter</h2>   <p>Following a first half that brought amazing defensive plays and minimal scoring, we saw an offensive implosion. The Marauders received the kick to start the second half, and took it all the way back for 70 yards, marking their first score of the afternoon, and bring the game to a 12-7 deficit, following an extra point by [player_tooltip player_id='1595362' first='Carter' last='Petri']. The Cardinal Hayes offense, took the field next and marched down the field, scoring easily to make the score 18-7. Coach O'Neil elected to go for two which was successful, making it a 20-7 score midway through the third. The Marauders got the ball back, and marched down the field, led by [player_tooltip player_id='1811553' first='Brayden' last='Manns'] who threw a nice pass to Jayovanni Ostrander, which made the score 20-14 to end the third quarter. </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/rayteodora1/status/1964430398248587443 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4th Quarter</h2>   <p>With a one scored game in Albany, defense and play calling continued to become important. Defensive stops were the main key of the final quarter, as we saw a total of one score which didn't come until midway though the final quarter. Following failed drives by both teams, Hayes handed the ball off to Kymonni Valentine who took it in from 35 yards out while missing multiple tackles. Coach O'Neil went for a two point conversion, which ended in a beautiful route and Cath from Erik Drobneck, which made the score 28-14. The Marauders, got one final drive late in the game, but failed to succeed, turning the ball over to Cardinal Hayes who kneeled out the clock, and picked up the 28-14 win in Albany. </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/rayteodora1/status/1964436799541182481 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cardinal Hayes Recruiting Recap</h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1883734' first='Johnnye' last='Booker']</strong>: Booker, getting the start due to the injury of starting QB, [player_tooltip player_id='1649268' first='Kyle' last='Mercorelli'] dominated. The 2027 recruit is on my radar after a strong multi touchdown performance, where he displayed good accuracy and vision.</p>   <p><strong>Erik Drobneck</strong>: Drobneck called his shot with me in the locker room stating he would have two touchdowns. He delivered, starting off with a head tap touchdown to open the game. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402253' first='Ali' last='Farhat']</strong>: Farhat kept the pocket clean all afternoon. The Cardinal Hayes prospect has multiple offers and proved why on Saturday. He displayed good hand placement and technique during the game. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364876' first='Alyjah' last='Lozada']</strong>: Lozada is another lineman who had a solid game in Albany. His leverage and footwork, were on full display in this game. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364923' first='Joshua' last='Lossman']</strong>: Lossman was all over the field on Saturday. The 2026 prospect, made multiple form tackles and high IQ plays during the game. </p>   <p><strong>Other Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1364878' first='Brandon' last='Garcia'], [player_tooltip player_id='1364892' first='Zaire' last='Walden'], [player_tooltip player_id='1649258' first='Antwone' last='Leon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1649249' first='Jamarr' last='Malcolm'], [player_tooltip player_id='1814209' first='Saleh' last='Atariwa'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1649260' first='Samuel' last='Harris'], all made their presence felt during the game. The offensive line, flourished, letting [player_tooltip player_id='1883734' first='Johnnye' last='Booker'] flourish in his start. On the defensive side of the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='1364892' first='Zaire' last='Walden'], [player_tooltip player_id='1649260' first='Samuel' last='Harris'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1364878' first='Brandon' last='Garcia'] made their presence felt with multiple pressures, hurries and tackles. [player_tooltip player_id='1814209' first='Saleh' last='Atariwa']'s size showed as he made multiple blocks and catches throughout the game. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Joseph Collegiate Recruiting Recap</h2>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257837' first='Owen' last='Kicinski']</strong>: The announcer got tired of saying his name, as he was all over the field during the loss on Saturday. The WNY prospect, had multiple PBU's, and tackles on defense. On offense, he had three catches for 20 yards, and 12 carries for 34 yards. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1344757' first='Davion' last='Becker']</strong>: Becker like Kicinski, made multiple great plays on the offensive side of the ball. He finished with three carries with 13 yards, and hauled in one catch for four yards. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1514776' first='Camrhyn' last='Chinn']</strong>: SJCI came out of the half down 14-0, looking for a big time play to gain momentum and start the comeback in Albany. The Marauders received the 2nd-half kickoff, and Chinn delivered, taking the kickoff back 70 yards, and bringing the Marauders back into this game. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1293300' first='David' last='Amuka']</strong>: Amuka was already one of my top players to watch on this Marauders team. He displayed his signature bow multiple times as he racked up 2.5 sacks, and led the team in tackles. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1624510' first='Stone' last='Rozak']</strong>: Coming into this game, Rozak was already on my radar, given his intriguing film. During the game, he made multiple catches from his TE slot, along with some key tackles as a LB, which helped keep the game close. </p>   <p><strong>Other Players</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1514902' first='Damone' last='Harden'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1429076' first='Payton' last='Keighron'] were two players who impressed me throughout the game. Harden and Amuka, combined to make a deadly duo during this game as they made multiple tackles, hurries, and other key plays during the game. Keighron made his first varsity start and held his own. The 6'1 linemen, made multiple nice plays on both sides of the ball throughout this game. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MVP: Erik Drobneck</h2>   <p>Drobneck had two touchdown catches throughout the game, after calling his shot pregame. The unranked WR, is on my radar from now on, as he found himself open throughout this game, and made multiple amazing plays as a pass catcher. He started the game off with a head tap touchdown, and added another later one. He is an outstanding player who will have an impressive season. </p>