GAME OF INCHES, IRISH COME UP JUST SHORT
COLUMBUS, OH- This was a game for the ages.
The Columbus Bishop Watterson Eagles defeated the Youngstown Ursuline Fighting Irish 35-34 at the Ohio Dominican University-Panther Stadium. The Eagles advance to 5-2, while Ursuline falls to 1-6.
The Eagles opening series resulted in a touchdown, thanks in large part to QB Jacob Hoying, son of former Ohio State QB, Bobby Hoying. The Eagles took the 7-0 lead, but two possessions later, Ursuline would respond. Junior QB Matthew Reardon found WR James Phillips for a 60+ yard gain. The next play, RB Trenton Hill punched the ball in to tie the game at 7.
Ursuline would take the lead on the next possession, as punter Jonah Fortkamp fumbled a high snap, which was blocked and recovered in the end zone by Ursuline. With a 14-7 lead, Reardon would dial-up Phillips again on the long ball and would extend the lead to 21-7.
The Eagles were not going to let Ursuline ruin homecoming night. Hoying would go to RB Tommy Bair to pound the ball downfield, and would eventually score to put the score at 21-14 at the half.
The 3rd quarter began, and the Eagles were ready to take the momentum back. Reardon would be intercepted in the opening drive, and the Eagles offense would punch it in to tie the game 21-21. The Eagles would then get the ball back, led by Bair, and would march down the field for the go-ahead score.
The Eagles would score again, pushing the game to a near out-of-reach 35-21. Ursuline would drive downfield, and Reardon would find WR Dean Boyd in the end zone to put the score at 35-28. The Eagles would control the clock, and Ursuline head coach Dan Reardon would burn all three timeouts.
The Eagles would face a 4th down with 45 seconds in the game, and Fortkamp came out to try a 35-yard kick. Ursuline, a team that had no intention of giving up, went after the kick and blocked it. Ursuline had 40 seconds to cover 70 yards. With 12 seconds to go, from their own 40, Reardon channeled his inner Patrick Mahomes and scrambled all across the backfield. Reardon heaved the ball downfield, and Boyd made a spectacular catch, and would score!
Coach Reardon was determined to win and went for two. Reardon handed the ball off to Phillips, Phillips looked to throw, but the pass was incomplete. For Ursuline, they should not hang their heads over this loss. They played harder than they ever have, and they left it all on the line. They will buckle down and prepare for a home game against the Boardman Spartans.
*Story contributed by YSN’s Dom Joseph
