FOOTBALL: Perspective Helps Roman Catholic Deal With Defeat

By John Knebels

MECHANICSBURG, PA – When they exited the field two weeks ago, Roman Catholic’s football players didn’t feel much like talking.

Gathering inner strength and displaying maturity, several Cahillites managed to articulate their thoughts. Having just lost a brutally disheartening 34-31 overtime decision to Harrisburg’s Bishop McDevitt in the PIAA Class 5A championship December 6 at Cumberland Valley High School, their somber mood reflected the disappointment of coming within whiskers of an epic victory.

Minutes after the game, Roman Catholic coach Rick Prete lauded everyone associated with a program that has joined the selective company of state championship caliber consideration.

“I’m extremely proud,” said Prete. “It’s hard to quantify the words as to how much work these kids and these coaches put in. We lost to a great team in a really good game. Nothing to be ashamed of.

“Those (seniors) are going to go off to college and they’re going to do well. They’re going to be successful in life. And then these young guys have to step up and push forward.”

With time comes perspective.

Rick Prete lauds his players for their performance in the state final - PSD Video by John Knebels

On one hand, the Cahillites could focus on some self-inflicted mistakes, a disparity in time of possession (30:34 to 17:26), and falling behind by 14-3 at halftime and 28-17 after three quarters.

On the other, they could concentrate on orchestrating a dominant fourth quarter, during which they outscored Bishop McDevitt, 14-3, and took their first lead – 31-28 – on a magnificent 75-yard interception return by senior Louis Gaddy with 5:44 remaining in regulation.

"The game was extremely important, not only for me, but for the team,” said Gaddy. “I wasn’t thinking about winning for me. It was more for the team. Before the game, the team was really locked in and really focused. During the game, we faced some adversity and had to fight back. And after, we just had to accept the fact that somebody had to lose, and if we would’ve executed a little better, it wouldn’t have been us.

“Seeing the positives wasn’t a hard task. The hard part was really just being comfortable with the loss, but on the positive side, we did make history for the Roman football program.”

Louis Gaddy's dramatic 75-yard interception return gave Roman its only lead - PSD Video by John Knebels

Appearing out of sorts through most of the first half and early in the third, the Cahillites suddenly exhibited the pedigree that had taken an 11-4 record into the school’s first-ever state final.

Trailing 21-3, the Cahillites scored their first touchdown with 7:53 left in the third when senior Zamir Newsuan recovered an offensive fumble in the end zone to finish a 9-play, 57-yard drive and make it 21-10. They then orchestrated a brilliant fake punt, with senior Rayshawn Scott connecting with senior CJ Miller on a 52-yard touchdown reception.

But McDevitt immediately answered 20 seconds later, and the Cahillites trailed 28-17 heading into the fourth.

A 31-yard scoring strike from junior quarterback Semaj Beals to Scott pulled the Cahillites to within 28-24, and that precipitated Gaddy igniting the Roman crowd with his interception and 75-yard sprint down the left sideline.

“I kinda just went through my keys,” said Gaddy, who finished with a game-high eight solo tackles along with three assists. “As I got my drop, I saw the ball come out and I knew it was too fast for the receiver. I just grabbed it and ran with everything I had. I couldn’t really hear my teammates or the crowd.

“Once I reached the end zone, all the emotion kinda just came out for a little from the buildup of frustration and passion from earlier in the game. But afterward, I had to lock back in and realize there was still game left to play. Because of the scale and importance, though, this was definitely the biggest play of my career.”

Senior Will Felder played with notable passion in rugged defeat - PSD Video by John Knebels

Junior quarterback Semaj Beals always calm in and out of the huddle - PSD Video by John Knebels

Gaddy wasn’t alone. Other standouts included sophomore running back JoJo Deleece (20 carries, 100 yards), senior Will Felder (10 combined tackles), senior Freddy DiNardo (nine combined tackles and a sack), and especially Scott, who contributed a 52-yard touchdown pass, six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, and three punts for 83 yards.

As for Felder, his reliance on a much higher power aided his acceptance of an extremely challenging defeat.

“My faith is so strong to the fact that growing up, my mom and Dad always made sure I had a strong belief and relationship in God,” said Felder. “I didn’t go to a Catholic school until I came to Roman, but Roman only help to grow my relationship with God.

“When I was younger, it started with the foundation my parents built for me, but going into high school, I always knew to give glory to God through the good and bad because I know whatever God is telling me to go through, He’s telling me for a reason.”

Perspective indeed.