Stream Pennsylvania High School Football on the NFHS Network
 
 
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
 
CoachComm Cobalt Plus
 
Turf Tank
 

Bishop McDevitt Overpowers Exeter, Four-peats as District 3 Champions

Tagged under: District 3, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

| November 23, 2024

On a soggy night at Eastern Lebanon County High School, Bishop McDevitt and Exeter met for the first time ever. The #6 seed Crusaders dominated the #8 Eagles each and every way possible on their way to a 48-14 victory over Exeter and fourth consecutive district title.

Many expected a high-scoring affair, and the Crusaders delivered early and often. On their very first play from scrimmage after forcing a quick three-and-out, Maurice Barnes threw a huge block for Dom Diaz-Ellis. Diaz-Ellis accelerated around the right side for 20 yards, spurring on a methodical ten play drive. Nazir Jones-Davis and Barnes added big gains. Stone Saunders hit Diaz-Ellis for a gain of 11 on a corner route and a trip inside the red zone. Barnes finished the drive, scoring from two yards out. The extra point was blocked, but the Crusaders led 6-0 with 5:53 to play in the opening quarter.

After two offensive drives, the Eagles had nine yards and no first downs. Along the way, Jones-Davis came from his linebacker spot around the left side unblocked to clobber Leo Brown on a swing pass, holding him to just a yard on the play and forcing a second consecutive punt.

McDevitt continued imposing their will. Jones-Davis ripped off a 28-yard gainer, accelerating through the line and into Eagles territory on the first play of the ensuing drive. Diaz-Ellis remained Saunders’ favorite target of the evening; the two connected for a 17-yard pickup down at the Exeter 24 when Diaz-Ellis shook coverage from Jayden Ware. A few plays later, Ware was beat again by Diaz-Ellis in the back corner of the end zone for a nine yard touchdown. The lead was stretched to 12-0 with 1:39 left in the first and McDevitt pressed down harder on the gas pedal.

Exeter continued to struggle on offense. Quarterback Riley Martinez, who returned to game action last week after suffering a broken leg, threw a short pass over the middle into the waiting arms of Landon Blauch. The Crusaders converted a 4th & 5 on the Eagles 17, as Saunders threw to Diaz-Ellis over the right side for eight yards. Jones-Davis pounded it in from nine yards out and also caught the two point conversion pass.

Trailing 20-0, Exeter finally got a first down with 9:30 to go in the half. Carter Redding hauled in an 18-yard pass from Martinez, crossing midfield into McDevitt territory. But those would be the final yards of the drive, as the Crusaders rose up to force a 4th & 10 incompletion.

Exeter got some help when Jones-Davis was stripped of the ball on the Crusaders’ first play after the turnover on downs. Genuine Stutzman got on it, giving the Eagles the ball on their own 46 with 8:19 to go in the half. McDevitt was flagged for an offsides penalty and pass interference, moving the ball right down to the Crusaders 25. But from there, the Eagles only managed two more yards. Lucas Lawler batted a Martinez pass down at the line.

By halftime, Bishop McDevitt had run 35 plays to Exeter’s 19. “The offense did what it was supposed to do,” stated Bishop McDevitt quarterback and Kentucky commit Stone Saunders. The Eagles were held to 48 yards of offense, while the Crusaders more than quadrupled that at 206. Complete domination was the name of the game, and the well-oiled machine of Bishop McDevitt was due to receive the opening kickoff in the third quarter.

The kickoff dribbled slowly to Jerome Larue Jr at the 14. Julius Fuentes-Bream threw an excellent block, allowing Larue Jr. to break to the outside and speed his way 86 yards to the house.

With the lead extended to 26-0, McDevitt picked up where they left off defensively. Exter managed five yards on their next drive and quickly punted it back to the Crusaders. It was business as usual–Barnes motored down the right sideline for a gain of 22 and the Crusaders were again in Eagles territory. Saunders, who had plenty of time to stand in the pocket all game long, picked out Jontai Quick over the left side for a pickup of 19 and another first down. Diaz-Ellis was targeted on the next play and came away in the back corner of the end zone with the score, despite solid coverage from Pharrell Caceres. Maurice Barnes ran the two point conversion in and pushed the lead to 34-0.

Fortunes did not change for the Eagles at all. Tyler Reinhart stepped in front of Justin Prizer on the next drive, accounting for Martinez’s second interception. Jones-Davis scampered 32 yards for yet another touchdown, his third of the night.

The tough night for the Eagles continued on their next drive. Stutzman made a 30 yard catch and was ruled down on the Bishop McDevitt 1-yard line. On the next play, the ball was coughed up and Jaeden Chase raced 99 yards to pay dirt and a 48-0 lead.

Exeter’s scores came late when Jayden Ware caught a Martinez throw and took it 74 yards to the end zone. Following a bad snap for the Crusaders, Exeter started on the McDevitt 10 yard line and Stutzman took it in from a yard out to end the scoring on the night.

Stone Saunders added to his astounding career statistics. His two touchdown passes put him at 199 for his career and over 3,000 yards once again. The Kentucky commit will need just about 300 yards to break Alex Erby’s state passing yardage record of 13,562.

“It was a great team win. Everybody executed in all three ways of the game and it was great to come in here and play like that,” noted Saunders, “We came out and stopped the run; they had to put it in the air and we got a couple picks.

The Crusaders now turn their attention to the state semifinals. They will face either Peters Township or Pine-Richland, the champions of the WPIAL, next weekend at a site and time to be determined.

Follow LSVSports on X: @LSVSports

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
PA Football News Scoreboard presented by NFHS Network
 
GoRout
 
Showcase by Circle W Sports
 
Football Legends board game
 
 
x