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FOOTBALL: Father Judge's Late Defensive Stand Forges Unforgettable Victory

By John Knebels (video by John Knebels for PSD), 10/20/21, 7:45PM EDT

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By John Knebels

 

PHILADELPHIA--The Crusaders didn’t know what to do with themselves. They ran around in all directions looking for someone – anyone – to celebrate with. Christmas had arrived early on a stormy evening in mid-October, and their gift was an unforgettable conclusion to a classic high school football game.

Now sometimes the word “unforgettable” is used without appropriate reverence, but Father Judge’s 21-20 Catholic League Red Division victory over Roman Catholic Saturday night (Oct. 16) during a game-long driving rainstorm at Northeast High School was not one of those times.

This. Was. Unforgettable.

I am so proud of our players,” said Judge coach Frank McArdle, whose Crusaders improved to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in the division. “Roman has a great team. Our guys just kept competing and chopping. We found a way to win.”

Leading by 21-14 on senior quarterback Mike Van Horn’s five-yard touchdown inside the final minute of regulation, a Crusader win seemed like a lock after the ensuing kickoff when Roman Catholic (3-5 overall, 1-2 division) started its desperation drive at its own five-yard line with only 55.3 seconds remaining in regulation.

Since wind and rain had deprived both teams from any success throwing the ball, the Cahillites would have to force the issue and ignore the odds. Amazingly, they meticulously advanced to the Judge 28 with 2.2 seconds left on the clock.

The Cahillites only had time for a Hail Mary pass to the end zone, and incredibly, their prayers were answered when sophomore quarterback John Ingram’s pass was corralled by junior Mekhi Watson with no time left on the clock, and Roman trailed 21-20.

“Honestly, as soon it was signaled a touchdown, I knew they would go for two,” said McArdle. “We had to get a call in and get a stop. I felt pretty confident we would hold them out.”

Roman indeed went for the win, and, spearheaded by Father Judge sophomore Nymeir Appling’s stop and specifically aided by senior lineman Zach Bayer, a running play up the middle was thwarted by a gang of Crusaders.

Let the madness begin. 

“That last drive felt like it was a lot more then just one minute,” said senior linebacker Mike Conway, who clapped his hands loudly before the final play to disrupt Roman’s cadence. “We knew what we had to do as a team and get a couple stops. Even when they completed big plays, we couldn’t give up.”

A few days later, with the memories still fresh but a bit muted by a return to normalcy, some Crusaders shared their recall. 

“Towards the end of the game it got a little crazy with that incredible catch and all the crazy emotions going through everyone,” said junior safety Liam Newhouse. “The main thing was getting a stop and coming out of that game a winner.”

Van Horn, whose two-yard touchdown run with 4:55 left in the third quarter tied the game at 14-14, watched from Judge’s tense-but-animated sidelines as the defense saved the day.

Senior Mike Van Horn bulls his way in from the 5-yard line to give Judge 21-14 lead over Roman with 55.3 seconds left in the game. (video/John Knebels)

This 28-yard TD pass from Roman's QB John Ingram to Mekhi Watson with no time left pulled Cahillites to within 21-20.(video/John Knebels)

Father Judge holds an attempted 2-point conversion with no time left to win 21-20. (video/John Knebels)

“The win means a lot,” said Van Horn, who has now rushed for 14 touchdowns this fall. “That was easily my favorite game I’ve ever played in. I think we’re the toughest group of kids in the league. Our coaches kept saying if we kept it close in the final minutes we would win, and we did. It was a great feeling.”

Father Judge sophomore Nymeir Appling who spearheaded the stop-recounts the igniting game-saving tackle. (video/John Knebels)

(L TO R) Judge's Jason LeBold, Justin Nikolopoulos, Jordan Rhinehart, Will Barrera, and Liam Newhouse reflect on amazing win

The aforementioned Appling, who was mobbed by his teammates after the game, relied on his instincts on the marquee play of the game. Appling, however, felt prepared as Roman emerged from the huddle. 

“We basically watched film on them so we knew what was coming,” said Appling. “I told our linebacker (Conway) to play the cut back on the running back on that play, and he did. Then I just tried to stand up the running back and wait for help, and everyone did their job the right way.

“It was a team effort to make that stop. It’s hard to describe.”

Unforgettable comes to mind . . .

  

 

(Contact John Knebels at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)

 

Father Judge vs. Roman Catholic (Epic Game Highlights by John Knebels for PSD)