The football game with Saint Pius

O’HARA WINS 41-23 OVER SAINT PIUS In their final game of the regular season and of their District, the O’Hara Celtics defeated the Saint Pius X Warriors by a score of 41-23. With the victory, O’Hara earned the possession of the Crystal Cup which goes to the winner of the O’Hara-Saint Pius game each year sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernia. As for the District standings, the game had no bearing inasmuch as Saint Pius had already dropped games to Lincoln Prep and Pembroke Hill. O’Hara had won the District Title the previous weekend and go on to play Smithville at O’Hara on Wednesday for their first postseason game. The Saint Pius Warriors had the right idea throughout the first quarter of play. Except for a three-and-out series for the O’Hara Celtics, they maintained possession until the 2:28 mark while pulling ahead 10-0. Beginning play at the O’Hara 42 yard line, they held on to the ball for fourteen time-consuming plays until the Celtic defense stiffened. They settled for a 23 yard field goal. When they got the ball back on their own 16 yard line, they marched down for their only touchdown of the first half and the only one earned via rushing. Anthony Zicarelli carried the ball in for the score from 23 yards away. Josh Baker who had kicked the earlier field goal added on the extra point. Larry Liggett recovered a fumble near the goal line to give the Celtics an excellent chance to get back into the game, and TJ White plunged in for the score putting O’Hara down by only three points. Joe Melchior got the ball back for the Celtics on the next series by intercepting Bryon Petcoff and returning the ball to the 12 yard line. Unfortunately Ben Wilson returned the favor with an interception for Saint Pius, so the Celtics lost a golden opportunity. However, the next time O’Hara did regain possession, Donnie Criswell was able to ramble in for a 14 yard score to put O’Hara on top for the first time in the game. The halftime score was 13-10. On the opening kickoff of the second half, Donnie Criswell fielded the ball around the 15 yard line and went the distance to boost the score to 20-10. Unable to make a first down in the Warriors’ next series, the Celtics went for another touchdown. Following a 16 yard pass completion from TJ White to Danny Hernandez, James Tillman showed great down field running in covering 43 yards, making the score 27-10. Saint Pius demonstrated a spark of life when Blake Brown got behind the O’Hara defense and gathered in a pass from Bryan Petcoff for a TD that covered half the playing field.. With the score 27-17, O’Hara reached the scoreboard again. To bring the ball close to the goal both TJ White with a 15 yarder and James Tillman with a nifty 29 yard run placed the ball on the 18 yard line. The one-two punch of Chuck Preston for 7 yards and TJ White for the rest stretched the score to 33-17. Before the third quarter drew to a close, Alex Rogers intercepted a pass thrown by Saint Pius’ new quarterback, Ben Wilson. With game pretty much decided, both squads scored in the final quarter of play. O’Hara scored theirs on a long 49 yard run by James Tillman, and Saint Pius got theirs on a Ben Wilson to Blake Brown 49 yard pass. Both teams attempted two-point conversions. O’Hara was successful when TJ White passed to Joe Pepple, but Ben Wilson’s pass attempt was intercepted By Alex Rogers.