Eighteen seconds. What’s the question? How long did Calvary have the lead in the Division III Select State Championship? The Cavaliers (13-0) won the 34-28 state championship over the St. Charles Comets (12-1) on Saturday in Caesar’s Superdome. This is the fourth title for Calvary and second for head coach Rodney Guin. This was Guin’s first chance to compete for a state championship in the Superdome. Guin’s last championship with the Cavaliers was won at Northwestern State University in 2020. The win also stopped the Comets from claiming a third consecutive state championship.
The Cavaliers claimed the title on the back of James Simon who had 30 carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns Abram Wardell passed 23-for-32 for 230 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Aubrey Hermes was the top target with 7 receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown. Kolby Thomas also had a touchdown reception in the closing seconds.
St. Charles Catholic Jeremiah Wills had 11 carries for 71 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Brady St. Pierre was 7-for-11 for 147 yards and had a hand in two touchdowns for the Comets. Daniel Joseph was on the receiving end of two touchdowns from St. Pierre. Joseph had 3 catches for 85 yards.
The Comets got the only score in the first quarter with a 68-yard touchdown pass from St. Pierre to Joseph. The Cavaliers were knocking on the door to the end zone on then1 when time ran out in the first quarter as St. Charles Catholic was up 7-0 at the end of the quarter.
The first play of the second quarter sees Simon head into the end zone. The extra point was missed as St. Charles led 7-6. The big play Comets strike again on the next drive as Wills bolts for the end zone on a 46-yard touchdown. The Cavalier lost the ball for the second time on loss of downs. Calvary’s defense snaps back the ball after Cole Miller recovers a fumble midfield. Calvary tried to stay on and closed the gap after Simon scored on a 3-yard run and closed in 14-13. It was too close for comfort for the Comets. Brayden Betucci snags an interception and sets up another score for the Comets on a 14-yard touchdown pass to and gives the Comets the 28-13 halftime head:
Calvary goes three and out then their punt is muffed but St. Charles Catholic takes over in Cavalier territory. St. Charles Catholic finally broke the cycle of punts as Wills scored on a 3-yard run to widen the lead to 28-13. Calvary went on an 11-play drive that resulted in a 25-yard touchdown run. St. Charles up 28-19 after three quarters.
Calvary’s bad luck seemed to follow them into the fourth as the Cavaliers started at their own 3 and then had to punt. St. Charles marched down to the red zone where the Cavalier defense forced the Comets to kick a field goal that was missed. With 4:20 remaining, Wardell completed 5 of 6 passes and Simon added an 18-yard run. Wardell struck Hermes on a 20-yard touchdown pass. The Cavalier converted the two-point conversion and closed in 28-26. Hoping for one more drive, the Cavaliers burned through all three timeouts. The Comets reached midfield and were held to a 4th-and-1. A first down wrapped up the game for the Comets. Roman McMillan had St. Pierre around the waist and gave Calvary one last shot with 44 seconds remaining. Wardell hit Kolby Thompson on a 17-yard reception. Wardell had to scramble for a first down. With 18 seconds remaining, Wardell connected with Thomas on a 20-yard touchdown pass. Calvary took their first and final lead at 34-28. St Charles tried one last gasp on a hook and ladder play but a miscue had the ball dropped and picked up by Hutch Grace locking in the state championship.
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