Last Second Field Goal Earns CV 3-0 Win

September 17- This morning's game between the Bishop McDevitt Crusaders and the visiting Cumberland Valley Eagles was a defensive struggle all the way. Both teams used rock-solid defense to turn away anything resembling an offensive threat. In the end, though, the Eagles were able to put together a last-minute drive to get within field goal range for their senior kicker, Lance Geesey, and he connected from 25 yards out to give the Eagles a 3-0 win. The McDevitt offense has now faced 3 stout AAAA defenses and managed 27 total points, as a consistent running game has proved to be elusive. The McDevitt defense has proved to be as tough as most pre-season prognosticators predicted; nevertheless, the Crusaders are now 1-2 with a road game against dangerous Susquehanna Township on the immediate horizon.

    Geesey's opening kickoff sailed into the end zone for a touchback, so McDevitt started the game at the McD 20. The drive that followed was a microcosm of the Crusader's offensive performance this morning: short runs, short passes and, ultimately, no points. The running game consisted of quick bursts by junior Darnell Holland and sophomore Rashad Lawson. Junior quarterback Alec Werner targeted junior Brian Lemelle and senior Shawn Seif to gain 3 first downs. The drive stalled at the CV 46 after 12 plays, though, so sophomore punter Nick Barowski punted to the CV 15. After a return to the 21 the Eagles managed a similar run-pass drive, eventually punting back to the Crusaders at the McD 24. This time a 10 yard Werner pass to freshman Andre Robinson and a swerving 32 yard Lawson run moved the ball to the CV 27. Holland ran for 8 before an incompletion and a 4 yard loss on a pass to Seif brought on junior Connor Maloney for a 40 yard field goal attempt. The kick swerved left, however and CV took over on the 20 as the first quarter ended.

    It was more of the same in the second quarter, as the teams traded punts twice, neither team advancing past the other team's 40. When a Barowski punt rolled dead at the CV 5 late in the quarter, though, the momentum seemed to shift in McDevitt's favor. The Eagles managed a first down before senior linebacker Tariq Spence sacked quarterback Ben Fernback for a 4 yard loss, forcing a punt that rolled to a stop at the McD 45. Werner passed to Seif for a 24 yard gain but a screen pass to Lawson lost 12. A third down pass to junior Nate Showalter put the Crusaders close enough for Maloney to try a 45 yard field goal, but the junior's boot came up short and the half ended with CV taking a knee at the CV 30.

Cumberland Valley came out of the locker room at McDevitt Field with a sense of purpose to start the second half and proceeded to launch a 14 play drive that utilized only one pass. After gaining a first down at the McD 10, though, the home team's defense stiffened and Geesey was well off on his 26 yard field goal attempt. Back came the Crusaders, moving across the midfield stripe before eventually punting to the CV 14. The McDevitt defense forced a 3-and-out and the subsequent punt rolled dead at the 50 as the fourth quarter began. The Crusaders advanced to the CV 35 before a holding penalty and a couple of incomplete passes doomed the advance, so Barowski pinned the Eagles back at the CV 16. The visitors suffered the games only turnover 6 plays later, though, when senior defensive end Noah Spence nailed Fernback as he attempted to pass and Holland intercepted at the McD 48. Another holding flag and a 7 yard sack prevented McDevitt from taking advantage of the turnover and Barowski's 6th punt of the game set the stage for the game's final drive. CV senior Aaron Hinish had a key 25 yard run  on 3rd down to keep the chains moving as the game clock wound down, and then junior Tyler Hartzel dashed 11 yards to set up the final play. Geesey calmly ended the game with his accurate kick as the visiting Eagles danced with joy.

Next Friday, September 23rd, the Crusaders travel to Progress Avanue to take on the undefeated Susquehanna Township Indians. The game, which begins Mid Penn Keystone Conference play, starts at 7:00 PM.