John Carroll, with just two league losses, remains in the crowded race for one of two coveted spots in the MIAA B Conference Football Championship Game.  With four teams still with just one loss, however, the Patriots have no room for error and they remained on course, Friday night, with a 30-20 win over St. Mary’s in Annapolis.

John Carroll took a 9-0 first quarter lead with a safety and a one-yard touchdown run by Ryan Kirby.  Kirby also threw a nine-yard TD pass to DJ Owens, in the second quarter, and scored on another one-yard run in the second quarter.  Topping off a big night, Kirby completed a 51-yard touchdown pass to Brett Prochazka in the fourth quarter.

On the night, Kirby rushed 16 times for 105 yards and completed 5-of-8 for 95 yards.  Brian Hunt added 87 yards rushing on 10 carries.

For St. Mary’s (1-6, 1-4), Spencer Coyle passed for 85 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Downs in the fourth quarter, and rushed for 88 more.  Nathan Lewnes and Malik Branch scored the other touchdowns for the Saints.

John Carroll (4-3 overall) is 3-2 in the B Conference.  Currently, Archbishop Curley and Boys’ Latin lead the pack at 5-1, with Archbishop Spalding and St. Paul’s sitting at 4-1.  Plenty of head-to-head battles lie ahead before the final two are determined.