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Aidan Grella kicks game winner, Bishop McDevitt captures 5A state title.

Tagged under: District 3, News, Playoffs

| December 6, 2024

In just his second game ever playing football, Aidan Grella missed a 52 yard kick that would have given the Crusaders the win over rival Harrisburg back in September.  Fast forward to the state championship game. With just seconds remaining in regulation and the score tied at 31, Grella lined up for a 42 yard field goal and once again, the kick didn’t find the uprights. He got another chance in overtime after McDevitt came up with a fourth down stop. This time the kick wasn’t pretty but the 22 yard attempt was good and the Crusaders won a hard fought 5A title over Roman Catholic, 34-31.

“That was my second game kicking ever and first year as a kicker as a junior, to win a game against such a big rival it came up just a little short but we pushed through the season and look where we made it” said Grella. “That first one I was really nervous. There was lots of pressure on, I got lot’s of support and we made it!”

The Cahillites and Crusaders battled all night and put on a great show. McDevitt jumped out to a 7-3 lead when Stone Saunders found Dom Diaz-Ellis who made an amazing comeback catch and crossed the goal line to finish the 41 yard play. Saunders, who threw for 287 yards going 19-26 with 2 tds, also broke the record for career passing yardage as well as passing completions, was humbled by the win. “I mean, it’s insane. For this to happen the way it did, I’m just so grateful. I’m sure someday I’ll look back on all those when I’m old and think it’s awesome but right now we just won a championship. I can’t wait to celebrate with my team” said Saunders who was flanked by his parents.

The Crusaders jumped to a 14-3 lead with 2:43 left in the first half with a 5 yard run by Nazir Jones-Davis and that’s where the score remained at the break. Then in the third quarter with McDevitt getting the ball first, it looked as though they had the game well in control. Jontai Quick returned the kick 42 yards to the Roman 30. Two plays later Saunders found Diaz-Ellis for a 30 yard td to put the Crusaders up 21-3.

The Cahillites found some life following a penalty then nearly turned the ball over in the McDevitt endzone, but a fumble by Tayden Mines was recovered by Zamir Newsuan cutting the Crusader lead to 21-10. Roman scored again, this on a fake punt and the lead was cut to 21-17. On the ensuing kick, Diaz-Ellis returned the ball to the Roman 33, Quick took a Saunders pass to the 1 then Saunders plowed in from the 0ne to put McDevitt up 28-17.

Roman came right back and scored to make it a 28-24 lead for the Crusaders, then disaster struck. With 9:29 left in the game McDevitt started knocking time off the clock with run plays, but on second and 8 at the Roman 29 Saunders threw a pass that went straight into the hands of Louis Gaddy and he returned the ball 75 yards to put Roman up 31-28. With 2:48 left to play, Grella tied the game before getting the winner in OT. ”

“We have confidence. Aiden has done a great job for us all year. On that first one, he just tried to overkick it. He can hit from 52. But give Roman credit, that’s a heck of a football team” said McDevitt Head Coach Jeff Weachter. “They’re so explosive, we gave up one there in the fourth. We won though, so that’s all that matters”.

 

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