Team Carroll def. Team Allison at the 26th Annual Valor Bowl

Tagged under: All-Stars, District 1, News

Xavier Johnson | May 23, 2024

*photo credits Dillon Williams*

On this warm Wednesday night of May, Kottmeyer hosted the 26th annual Valor Bowl. These were the best of the best of all the football teams in the Chestmont Area showcasing their skills for one last game of their high school career. 

This was between team Allison and team Carroll. Leading team Allison was Malvern Prep head coach Dave Guerrero. For team Carroll we had Avon Grove head coach Joey Coffey. Coach Coffey led his Valor Bowl team to a win last year and was hoping to make it two in a row.

The stadium was almost packed and the energy was lively. Friends and family came from all over to watch their favorite players play their last game of high school football.

Things started off a little shaky for team Allison as Great Valley quarterback Braeden Melia almost threw an early interception to linebacker Nyker Butler of Coatesville who just couldn`t quite hold on to the ball. This turnover on downs led to a touchdown run by Downingtown East running back Kam Alex. This put team Carroll up 7-0. Team Allison would respond immediately. A touchdown from Conestoga running back Tommy Costigan made the game 7-6 after a blocked extra point.

In the second quarter there back to back interceptions made. The first was made in the endzone by Henderson defensive back Seamus Murphy of team Allison. The second was a tipped catch made by Oxford defensive back CJ Boyer of team Carroll. That interception was followed up by touchdown run by Coatesville`s Semaj Turner. Team Carroll was now up 17-6 going into halftime.

Interception by Seamus Murphy @Henderson_FB @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/djvoZDEFOb

—Xavier Johnson (@Xavier_J17) May 22, 2024

Team Carroll started the second half where they left off in the first half with touchdown at the end of the third quarter by Coatesville running back Johnny Rivera. Team Allison was now trailing 23-6 going into the third quarter. While the game seemed lopsided, the fourth quarter is where the competition really got heated.

After getting the ball to start the fourth, team Allison marched down the field and scored off a red zone run by Tommy Costigan. It was now 23-13 with 9:21 left in the game. After a great defensive stop team Allison got the ball back with 2 minutes left. The very next play quarterback Braeden Melia threw a deep ball to his Great Valley teammate Gavin Maslowski for a touchdown. It was now 23-20 with team Allison only trailing by three.

Team Carroll didn`t fold and responded with a 50 plus yard touch down run from Kennett quarterback Chase Patalano to seal the game for his team with 53 seconds left on the clock. Final score of the game was 29-20, team Carroll.

QB Chase Patalano what’s the touchdown run to seal the game for team Carroll as they are up 29-20 with 0:53 left in the fourth quarter. @KHSFootball20 @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/yXPyPKf8e0

— Xavier Johnson (@Xavier_J17) May 23, 2024

The overall game MVP went out to CJ Boyer who had two key interceptions and played great coverage for his team to win. During the post game interview, when asked how much this award meant to him, he talked how it was important to end his football career like this after coming off a not so great season with his team and his being injured.

Overall, this was great Valor Bowl that showcased great competition and skill. The atmosphere felt like a Friday night game with the support of the fans.

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