Calvert Hall had a strong first half in a crucial Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference football game against Mount St. Joseph on Friday night in Towson.
Unfortunately for the No. 4 Cardinals, the third-ranked Gaels owned the second half and posted a 33-22 victory to remain unbeaten in league play.
Boston College commit Carter Davis showed why the Atlantic Coast Conference program recruited the Mount St. Joseph standout — and why several other Division I programs also coveted the senior safety.
With the Gaels (6-2 overall, 4-0 MIAA A) holding a 21-14 lead early in the fourth quarter, Davis produced a game-altering play when he intercepted Calvert Hall quarterback Noah Brannock two snaps after Cardinals’ sophomore linebacker Xzavion Crumb’s pick at the Gaels’ 40-yard line.
Instead of putting together a game-tying TD drive, Davis cut the sequence short by stepping in front of the intended receiver, snagging the pass and returning the ball to the Calvert Hall 44-yard line.
”I was watching for a seam route,” Davis said. “I made the right read. I knew my teammates needed a big play.”
”Carter is a big, rangy kid,” Mount St.Joseph coach Dom Damico said. “When he gets a bead on a ball, he’s a ball hawk. That’s why you’ll be seeing him play on Saturdays in college. He just makes plays.”
Nine plays after Davis’ interception, junior running back Zion Willaims bullied his way into the end zone to take a 27-14 advantage with just over three minutes left in the fourth period.
When the Gaels recovered fumble on the ensuing kickoff, coupled with a penalty against Calvert Hall, another opportunity to score was presented and the visitors pounced — or rather ran — on senior running back Bryce Cox’s 19-yard bolt up the middle to extend the Gaels’ lead to 33-14 with three minute to go.
Calvert Hall (3-5, 1-2 MIAA A) answered 90 seconds later when Brannock tossed an 8-yard pass to senior wideout Sammy Williams for the game’s final score.
Davis said that he enjoys playing against Brannock.
”Noah’s a great quarterback,” Davis said. “I love his game. He’s the kind of quarterback I’ll go against in college.”
After Mount St. Joseph took an early lead on Watkins’ 28-yard pass to senior wideout Trey Goodridge, Brannock answered by connecting with junior receiver Oliver Redd, Jr. for 23 yards before senior running back Dawon Dorsey’s 4-yard scamper gave the hosts a 14-7 cushion with 7:34 left in the first half.
The Gaels recovered nicely, scoring twice in the third quarter on short Cox runs to go back on top, 21-14, while the defense stymied Brannock and his buddies.
Damico said when the Gaels implemented a four-man front after the intermission, their fortunes changed for the better.
He said that he was still concerned about stopping Brannock, though.
“I’ve been watching tape on him for two years, and he’s tough to contain,” Damico said. “You can’t really stop him.”
His own quarterback, Watkins, also showed great accuracy and touch, including a beautifully lofted sideline pass to Goodrich — who made a terrific adjustment on the ball — to set up the Gaels’ fourth score late in the final period.
Calvert Hall coach Josh Ward said that the defending champions Cardinals will now turn their focus toward their next opponent, McDonogh.
”At the end of the day, we still control our own destiny,” he said. “We can still make the playoffs.”
NO. 3 MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 33, NO. 4 CALVERT HALL 22
Mount St. Joseph 7 0 14 12 — 33
Calvert Hall 7 7 0 8 — 22
First quarter
Mount St. Joseph -T rey Goodridge 28 pass from Winston Watkins (Chris Degroote kick)
Calvert Hall - Oliver Redd Jr. 23 pass from Noah Brannock (Dylan Manna kick)
Second quarter
Calvert Hall - Dawon Dorsey 4 run (Manna kick)
Third quarter
Mount St. Joseph - Bryce Cox 5 run (Degroote kick)
Mount St. Joseph - Cox 3 run (Degroote kick)
Fourth quarter
Mount St. Joseph - Zion Williams 3 run (kick failed)
Mount St. Joseph - Cox 19 run (pass failed)
Calvert Hall - Sammy Williams 8 pass from Brannock (Donnie Lewis pass from Brannock)
