Roman Catholic Loses Heartbreaker to Bishop McDevitt in Overtime 34-31

Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

Phil Myers | December 7, 2024

The Roman Catholic Cahillites battled back from a 21-3 deficit early in the third quarter to eventually take a 31-28 lead on a pick six half way through the fourth quarter only to lose the game in overtime on an apparent tipped field goal that just made it over the crossbar by inches.  It was the tenth overtime contest in the 37-year history of the PIAA state football championships.  It was also Roman’s first ever state title game appearance in football.

What a game it was and what a testimony to the Roman football players who battled back from an 18-point hole in the second half.  “I’m proud of our kids.  I felt like we fought back and we had opportunities.  They kind of outlasted us there,” said Roman’s head coach Rick Prete.

Semaj Beals back to pass.

The comeback consisted of a variety of plays.  First there was a recovered fumble in the end zone for a TD.  Then there was a pass on a fake punt that went 52 yards for a score.  Then a pass play found pay dirt and that was followed by an interception return to give the lead to the Cahillites at the 5:44 mark of the fourth.  But a field goal by McDevitt’s Aidan Grella tied the game with under 3 minutes remaining.  Grella was given a chance to win the game in regulation but his 43-yarder fell just shy of the crossbar.  His 21-yard FG won it in overtime after Roman missed a 30-yard field goal try.

Coach Prete commented on the game in this way, “It was a phenomenal game.  Hats off to them over at McDevitt.  Great, great program.  They battled.  They fought and they earned it.”

Roman Catholic was led on offense by quarterback Semaj Beals, running back JoJo Delecce, and wide receiver Rayshawn Scott.  Beals threw for 135 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 50 more yards.  Delecce carried the ball 20 times for 104 yards and Scott threw a touchdown pass on a fake punt plus he caught 6 passes for 73 yards and a score.  “I’ve never played in a game like this,” commented Beals who has the all-time Philadelphia city record for passing yardage.

The fake punt was a run, pass, punt option according to Prete.  “The punter who is our leading receiver, saw CJ Miller kind of open and CJ did the rest there,” stated the Roman head coach who overcame a family tragedy this year when his oldest daughter was killed in an automobile accident.  The Roman community surrounded him with lots of prayer and love which aided him to continue coaching a great group of athletes that supported him and ultimately came extremely close to capturing the Class 5A football championship.

The defense actually didn’t do a bad job even though McDevitt gained 420 yards of offense.  They had a bend don’t break mentality.  In fact, the McD Crusaders’ four touchdown drives all started in Roman territory thanks to a couple of good kickoff returns by Jontai Quick and punts that had to be kicked out of Roman’s own end zone.  Lazyaryus Toombs seemed to be all over making tackles and it was Louis Gaddy’s 75-yard interception return that gave Roman the 31-28 lead in the fourth quarter.

Roman Catholic High School was founded in 1890 through the vision of Philadelphia businessman, Thomas E. Cahill.  It is one of the oldest Catholic schools in the United States.  They have won four basketball gold medals in the past ten years.  With the talent they have on the field, and a really good coach and person in Rick Prete, it may not be long until they win a Football gold medal.  “A loss is never a loss,” said Beals, “It’s always a lesson, it’s always a lesson learned.”

Score by Quarters:

Roman Catholic – 3 0 14 14 0 – 31

Bishop McDevitt – 7 7 14 3 3 – 34

Scoring Summary:

First Quarter:

RC – Eli Pollack 25-yard FG, 8:36

McD – Dominic Diaz-Ellis 41-yard pass from Stone Saunders, (Aidan Grella PAT), 0:34

Second Quarter:

McD – Nazir Jones-Davis 5-yard run, (Carter Boland), 2:50

Third Quarter:

McD – Dominic Diaz-Ellis 30-yard pass from Saunders, (Grella PAT), 10:19

RC – Tayden Mines 12-yard run recover fumble in end zone, (Pollack PAT), 7:53

RC – CJ Miller 52-yard pass from Rayshawn Scott, (Pollack PAT), 3:10

McD – Saunders 1-yard run, (Grella PAT), 2:50

Fourth Quarter:

RC – Scott 31-yard pass from Semaj Beals, (Pollack PAT), 9:38

RC – Louis Gaddy 75-yard interception return, (Pollack PAT), 5:44

McD – Grella 20-yard FG, 2:55

Overtime:

McD – Grella 21-yard FG

Individual Stats:

Rushing: RC – JoJo Delecce 20-104, Semaj Beals 10-50, Tayden Mines 3-10, Rayshawn Scott 2-7, Eyan Stead 1-(6). Totals: 36-165.  McD – Nazir Jones-Davis 35-126, Maurice Barnes 5-18, Stone Saunders 4-(3). Totals: 44-141.

Passing: RC – Semaj Beals 12-31-2, 135 yards, 1 touchdown, Rayshawn Scott 1-1, 52 yards, 1 touchdown. Totals 13-32-2, 187 yards, 2 touchdowns.  McD – Stone Saunders 19-27-1, 279 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Receiving: RC – Rayshawn Scott 6-73, Delecce 2-7, Eyan Stead 1-12, Eisa Nealy 1-14, Tayden Mines 1-18, CJ Miller 1-52, Zamir Newsuan 1-11.  Totals: 13-187.  McD – Jontai Quick 5-108, Liam Fuller 5-35, Dominic Diaz-Ellis 3-77, Maurice Barnes 2-(5), Howard Holton 1-1, Darius Diaz-Ellis 1-19, Gage Ruth 1-24, Carlos Smith 1-20.  Totals 19-279.

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