Varsity Football Defeats BC High with Last-Second Hail Mary

With the clock at zero and pass rushers closing in, quarterback Nick Goffredo '18 heaved a prayer into the swirling wind at BC High Stadium — Jarrett Martin '18 came down with the ball.

A Hail Mary had tied the game at 20, and kicker Will Fay's '18 extra point sealed a 21–20 Catholic Memorial victory.

The Division 1 South semifinal matchup pitted number-five seed Catholic Memorial and undefeated top-seed BC High School, and for much of the first half BC High looked the part of the undefeated number-one seed, as the Eagles' punishing ground attack helped build an early 20–0 lead. But the CM defense found its bearings, and a two-yard touchdown pass from Goffredo to Hunter Tully '18 with 15 seconds left in the second quarter made the score 20–7 at halftime.

The second half was a defensive struggle, as both teams went scoreless until five minutes left in the fourth quarter when Kion Tucker '18 broke loose for a 25-yard run to the BC High one-yard line and Goffredo snuck in for a touchdown two plays later.

The Knights' defense got stronger as the game went on, holding the Eagles to just 70 total yards and no points during the final two quarters, and crucial stops late in the fourth quarter gave the ball back to Goffredo's offense with just enough time for a last-second miracle.

The victory sets up a Division 1 South semifinal meeting with Xaverian Brothers High School next weekend.