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Central Catholic's Dominic Skipper, pursues Hanson Memorial quarterback Mason Mendoza during Friday's District 7-1A contest in Morgan City. The Eagles' defense made a key stop late in the game to preserve the Eagles' victory. (The Daily Review/Bill Decker)

CCHS survives late scare from Hanson for 16-12 win

Hanson Memorial had the ball and the momentum right where it needed to be late in its District 7-1A contest with Central Catholic.

Trailing 16-12 with 29 seconds left, the Tigers had gained possession of the football at the Central Catholic 10 yard line where it had a first-and-goal for a chance to win the game and snap a 24-game losing streak in the series.

However, the Central Catholic defense wasn’t having any of it, as it forced Hanson quarterback Mason Mendoza to throw four straight incomplete passes to turn the ball over with 7.9 seconds left and preserve a win for Central Catholic.

“Defensively, it might be our best defensive effort of the year,” Central Catholic Coach Tommy Minton said. “Defense played great, fantastic. We put them in bad spots all night, and they just went back out and played and fought through.”

“Offensively, for as well as we moved the ball in the first half, we only had 16 points,” Minton said.

The Eagles were stopped twice in the red zone in the first half, on their first and last drives of the half.

“We’ve got some work to do there,” Minton said.

Central Catholic’s defensive stand marked the end of a thrilling second half between the two squads.

While Central Catholic led 16-0 at the break, Hanson scored two touchdowns in the third period in less than a four-minute span.

The first touchdown came when Mendoza connected with Jake Srigley on a 1-yard completion with 3:36 remaining in the third quarter. Hanson’s extra point was no good for a 16-6 Central Catholic lead.

On the Eagles’ ensuing drive, Hanson’s Jack Vaccarella intercepted Central Catholic quarterback Taylor Blanchard’s pass and returned it to the Central Catholic 26.

A few plays later, the Tigers cut the Central Catholic lead to 16-12 following a 6-yard touchdown run by Mendoza with 41.7 seconds remaining.

The teams exchanged possessions in the fourth quarter, with Central Catholic looking primed to score on its second possession of the quarter when it moved the ball all the way to the Hanson 5-yard line.

However, Davidyione Bias was stopped for a one-yard loss on second down and the team lost 16 yards on third down, setting up a 4th-and-goal situation from the Hanson 22. Blanchard’s pass was incomplete, turning the ball over.

Hanson countered with a drive, which began at the 3:21 mark. On the drive, the Tigers moved the ball to the Central Catholic 39.

However, on second down from the Central Catholic 44, Bryce Grizzaffi reached in front of a Hanson receiver and intercepted the pass, and the Eagles simply could run out the clock and secure the victory.

It wasn’t to be, however, as the Eagles gained just 5 yards on their next possession and were forced to punt from their own 40 yard line.
Hanson blocked the punt and returned it to the Central Catholic 10.

In the first half, Central Catholic scored on consecutive possessions as Central Catholic’s Singleton capped a five-play, 33-yard drive with a 1-yard run with 43.3 seconds remaining in the half. Bias’ two-point run was good for an 8-0 Central Catholic lead.

After a Hanson turnover on downs on its next possession, Singleton took a handoff and raced 61 yards for a score with 10:51 remaining in the first half. DeDe Gant’s two-point conversion run was good for a 16-0 Central Catholic lead.

Singleton led the Eagles with 24 carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns, while Blanchard led the pass game as he completed 3 of 13 passes for 74 yards with one interception. Gant was Central Catholic’s top receiver with three receptions for 74 yards.

ST. MARY NOW

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