Calvert Hall survives Spalding in three overtimes

Calvert Hall quarterback Thomas Stuart scored on a two yard run in the third overtime to lead the Cardinals to a 26-20 win over Archbishop Spalding in a thriller at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the I-95 Kickoff Classic.

No. 19 would have been proud of both teams, as the drama unfolded in last six minutes of regulation and through three stunning overtime series.

Spalding held a 14-6 lead with 5:57 left in regulation and it looked like the defending MIAA B conference champs would defeat their A conference rival for the second year in a row.

But Stuart had other ideas, connecting on a 38 yard scoring strike to Garrett Keene to pull the Hall to with two with three minutes to go in regulation.  Stuart then hit Kyle Levere on a pressure packed two-point conversion to tie the game at 14-14, ala John Unitas who was famous for his last-minute miracles with the great Baltimore Colts.

The game went to overtime, as each team would get four downs from the ten yard line to determine a winner.

On Calvert Hall’s first series, a fourth down field goal attempt was wide right. On Spalding’s first play from the ten in the first OT series they fumbled and the Hall recovered.

Calvert Hall got a ten yard TD run from Keene on the next series, and the Hall took a 20-14 lead. The conversion attempt, a pass from Stuart to CJ Williams was stopped short of the goal line.

The Cavaliers capitalized when they got the ball again, as JD Izon raced into the end zone from 10 yards out to tie the game 20-20. Spalding had a chance to win the game on the extra point, but the kick failed.

Spalding started the third series, and they came close to taking the lead on fourth down, but Kevin Weiman’s field goal attempt hit the upright.

When Calvert Hall got their turn on the third series, Stuart’s keeper made the difference.

“In the fourth quarter we just picked things up, and we got a couple of bounces that went our way,” said Stuart.

Calvert Hall’s Adrain Amos,who committed to the University of Connecticut this past week played a steady game for coach Donald Davis. “We were a little lax on defense in the second and third quarters today, but we found a way to win,” said Amos.

Spalding coach Mike Whittles said the OT series was like being on a roller coaster.

“I though we had it won a couple of times at the end, said Whittles.  “All in all, I’m proud of the way we played today.”

Spalding broke a scoreless tie late in the second quarter on a one yard run by K.K. Smith, and they led at the half 7-0.

Calvert Hall got a touchdown on a two yard run by CJ Williams with 6:52 to go in the third after they recovered a Cavalier fumble.  The Cavs blocked the extra point attempt to take a 7-6 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Cavs Shelly White bolted into the end zone from 10 yards out with ten minutes to go in regulation to give Spalding a 14-6 lead, before Stuart started his heroics.