By Richard Carrier
Contributing writer

The two teams involved in last Friday night’s VISSA Division Three State Championship game had simple game plans.

For undefeated and top-ranked Blessed Sacrament Huguenot, it was control the pace of the game and prevent the big play.

For number two and once-defeated (at the hands of the Knights) Northcross School it was control the pace of the game and take the big play when, and if, it became available.

Ultimately, Northcross’ plan worked as they scored on three big plays, kept the Knights ground game under control and stifled the BSH passing attack to take the Championship by a 21-6 score.

The Knights’ first series, three and out after a first and five, may have been an indicator. BSH punted to the Raiders, who quickly showcased their ground gobbling tailback, Tyler Caveness, on a 10- yard run. Two first downs later they were in Knights’ territory at the 33-yard line. Senior linebacker Chris Howard put an end to the scoring threat when he sacked quarterback Glen Williams for a 12-yard loss. Northcross’ punt pinned BSH at their five. A new wrinkle, a keeper by BSH quarterback Austin Wingfield earned the Knights one first down, but they could not move past their own 20. A booming punt by Deon Watts put the Raiders at their 36.

Glen Newlin, playing defense for the first time this year, and Nathan Smith tackled Caveness for a loss and Howard did the same on second down, before administering another sack to Williams on third down. The exchange of punts gave BSH much better field position at their 41 and the Knights took full advantage. Watts and Howard, on a bullish run, got one first down. Wingfield hit Connor Paul, who limp-legged the defensive back and took the pass down to the Raiders’ 33. Another Wingfield keeper advanced the ball to the 19. Watts put on one of his spinning runs to the 10 where Ryan Bendele’s plunge set up a first and goal at the six. A procedure penalty and a two-yard loss on Wingfield’s keeper made it second and goal from the twelve. Wingfield completed his second pass of the evening (he was ultimately 10 for 26 and 72 yards with three of his completions going for negative yards) by the sheer determination of Howard. Blanketed by two defensive backs at the one, Howard skied between them and pulled down the pass. Bendele went the final half yard at the 6:07 mark of the first quarter. Thomas Young’s point after was blocked.

It appeared as if the Raiders would return the favor with first down runs by Caveness and Brent Ring and a pass interference call on Kendall Trainum advancing the ball to the BSH 32. But the left side of the Knights’ defense separated Caveness from the ball and Newlin fell on it. BSH went three and out again with 2:43 left in the half. The Raiders unleashed their other game breaker, receiver Sid Brown. Brown gathered in Watts’ punt and darted through the Knights’ coverage team for 50 yards to the Knights’ 22. Bendele and Sill held Caveness to six yards on two carries. On third down, Brown took Williams’ pass in the flat and started up field. Russ Leboff grabbed him by an ankle and held on like a bulldog until Howard came up to flatten him for a six-yard loss. Brown’s number was also called on fourth down, but his option pass was well defended down field and he attempted to dance through the Knights’ linebackers. They shut him down at the 18 and the ball changed hands, just as the half ran out.

The two teams traded punts to start the second half, but on their second possession, the Raiders put together a scoring drive. A Williams strike to Fuller Clark put the Raiders at the Knights’ 32. On first down the BSH defensive back slipped down, leaving Brown alone at the 10. Williams lofted an easy rainbow to Brown. He faked the final defender at the five and stepped into the end zone. The kick was good. Northcross 7, BSH 6. Some time during that series Deon Watts was knocked out of the game and would not return.

The teams traded punts for the remainder of the quarter with Young punting to the Raiders’ 29 on the first play of the final stanza. Bendele and Howard held Caveness to two yards on first down, but he struck like a bolt of lightning on second. The Raiders sealed the right side of the Knights’ defensive line and Caveness found the edge undefended. It was no contest. The 5’10”, 181-pound junior flew down the sideline 69 yards untouched. Again the kick was good. Northcross 14, BSH 6.

“We knew going in they had two big play threats,” Coach Mike Henderson said. “One big pass play (to Brown) and one big running play (by Caveness) and we’re down 14-6.”

The Knights fought, but forced into an ineffectual catch-up passing game, they could not recover.

With 6:10 remaining, receptions by Trianum and Leboff sparked some hope, but Wingfield’s next delivery found Raiders’ safety Toles Hartman alone at the 15-yard line. Northcross could not advance, nor could the Knights. BSH’s fourth and 11 pass was incomplete, setting the Raiders up in Knights territory at the 36-yard line with 2:13 left.

The Knights still had a chance if they could manufacture a stop, a last-minute scoring drive and two point conversion to tie. They managed the first, stuffing Caveness twice and pressuring Williams into a third down incompletion.

Bendele and John Moore dropped back to the goal line to receive the Raiders’ punt. They never saw it. Northcross’s punter did an award-winning acting job, the holder stood up and lobbed a pass to Fuller Clark jogging down the right sideline.

Nobody was within fifteen yards of Clark when he crossed the goal line.

“You have to give their coach credit. It was a very gutsy call,” Coach Henderson said.