On Friday Nov. 5, JC played their final game for this season. It was the last game for JC football’s seniors and they were determined to come up with a win against Archbishop Curley.
The game didn’t start too well for JC when a fumble on a punt handed Curley the ball on the JC 28-yard line. Consistent with what Boys Latin did in the last game, Curley ran the ball on JC’s defense. This strategy was successful, and Curley plunged into the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown run on fourth down. The extra point was good, and Curley was on the board first, 7-0.
JC’s offense stalled again on their next drive, and they were forced to punt. Curley ran the ball to the outside, and the runner broke free for a 40-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt failed, but Curley’s lead grew to 13.
After both defenses didn’t allow points, JC tried to bring in a trick play. Senior quarterback Ryan Kirby handed the ball off to junior running back Andrew Simon, who threw it to senior wide receiver DJ Owens. Unfortunately for JC, the ball was intercepted before it could reach its target.
The score remained 13-0 heading into halftime, and things didn’t look good for the Patriots.
The defense must have been inspired at halftime because they came out in the second half and shut down Curley’s offense. In a bizarre turn of events, the ball was snapped over the Curley punter’s head. JC senior lineman Zach Wagner recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Sophomore kicker Alex Gambrell’s extra point sailed through the uprights, and JC cut Curley’s lead to 13-7.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Curley returner fumbled the ball. JC recovered the fumble on Curley’s 38-yard line. The offense drove the ball all the way to the 1-yard line, but it was fourth and goal from the one as time expired in the third quarter.
Senior running back Brian Hunt took the handoff from Kirby and plunged into the end zone for a touchdown. After Gambrell’s extra point, JC was on top, 14-13.
The JC defense came up with yet another fumble on Curley’s next drive. However, JC’s offense was unable to gain any points from the turnover as Curley’s defense forced a punt.
Curley’s drive resulted in a touchdown on a 48-yard catch and run by one of Curley’s wide receivers instead. The two point conversion worked, putting Curley back in the lead at 21-14.
After JC’s offense was forced to punt, the defense needed to step up. They rose to the challenge, forcing Curley to go three and out. JC’s offense got the ball back with just over three minutes left in the game.
JC’s final drive was crazy. The game appeared to be over when Kirby threw an interception, but the ball was handed back to JC following a penalty on Curley.
JC was robbed when Owens threw a long pass to one of his fellow receivers. It appeared that the Curley defender hit the receiver’s arms, which would have made an obvious pass interference call. However, the officials didn’t see it that way.
After Kirby threw an incomplete pass on the fourth down, Curley ran out the clock to give them the win, 21-14.
Despite the loss, Hunt was positive after the game. “[The team played] really good this season. We started slow, but picked it up in the middle of the season. We just came up short at the end,” Hunt said.
Hunt also reflected on this being his final game as a senior. “It’s sad walking off the field for the last time,” Hunt said.
Brian Reid can be reached for comment [email protected].