SOUTH AMBOY, NJ–In a contest that defied many expectations and was perhaps one of the most entertaining games from week two of the 2012 Greater Middlesex Conference football season, the Eagles of Cardinal McCarrick overcame a 25-6 early second quarter deficit to rally past Mater Dei of Port Monmouth, New Jersey and the Shore Conference, 34-25. The Eagles defense shutdown the Seraphs by not allowing them to score at all over the last 34 minutes of the contest while standout quarterback Jahmal Pryce put on a show with three second half touchdown runs in addition to a long kickoff return in the first half. Below are some notes from the game.
Both teams lost last week–Mater Dei fell to Keansburg 21-18 while McCarrick lost to Point Pleasant Beach 48-8.
Time was being kept on the field.
First Quarter
Mater Dei scored on its first three possessions of the game including one TD after an interception of a Jahmal Pryce pass near midfield to take a 19-0 lead. The Seraphs had two short TD runs of about 10 yards, and then a third TD run of about 40 yards by #4.
McCarrick moved the ball well on its first drive thanks to a keeper for a long gain by Pryce, but they turned the ball over on downs. The Eagles didn’t score on any of their first period offensive possessions, but Pryce got them on the board with a 93 yard kickoff return after Mater Dei kicked the ball off at the McCarrick 40 yard line following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by CM.
Second Quarter
Mater Dei started its fourth drive toward the end of the first period, and again moved the ball at will against McCarrick’s defense for another score on a five yard TD run by the running back #4.
Cardinal McCarrick drove the ball inside the Seraphs 30 yard line on its first drive of the quarter, but was eventually stopped on downs. Pinning Mater Dei deep in its own territory, the Eagles defense was able to finally get a stop, and forced the Seraphs to punt.
After getting the ball at the Mater Dei 45 yard line, the Eagles turned the ball over again as Pryce was intercepted for the second time in the game. The Seraphs drove deep into McCarrick territory, but after a penalty, they were unable to score as time ran out in the first half.
Third Quarter
McCarrick took the opening kickoff, and scored on the very first play from scrimmage as Pryce took the snap and scooted 75 yards or so for a touchdown. The Eagles missed the extra point, and trailed 25-12. On the ensuing drive for Mater Dei, the Seraphs fumbled the ball at about the 40 yard line.
The Eagles took possession, and drove the ball into the end zone as Pryce again rushed for the score from about 25 yards out. McCarrick then made the two point conversion to close the gap to 25-20. McCarrick continued to step up the pressure on defense by forcing another stop and got the ball back to its very explosive offense.
Within a couple plays from scrimmage, the Eagles got another long touchdown run of 60 yards from Armand Arnaldy, and despite not making the two point conversion, they led for the first time in the contest by the score of 26-25.
Fourth Quarter
The game was suddenly an entertaining one again. The Eagles had a chance to put the game away, but on an apparent touchdown pass from Pryce to Tavian Chukwani, McCarrick was called for a procedural penalty, and the play was called back.
Mater Dei refused to give up by driving down the field to get into scoring position with about four minutes to play. A couple nice pass plays including one that had a diving catch along the near sideline got the visitors from Port Monmouth into scoring position.
However, the Seraphs were cited for a penalty and backed up a few yards. Unable to get a first down and continue the drive deep in McCarrick territory, the Seraphs were forced to settle for a go-ahead field goal attempt that was off the mark with about 3:30 to play.
Moments later, Pryce took the snap and scampered down the right sideline for another long touchdown of 75 yards. The Eagles converted the two point conversion, and now led 34-25 with about three minutes to go. The Seraphs got into scoring position again, but fumbled the ball deep in McCarrick territory with less than a minute to go as the Eagles won, 34-25.
Mater Dei scored on its first four possessions of the game while McCarrick scored on four of its first five possessions of the second half.