by Matt MacKenzie ’18
In a thrilling come from behind victory the Wildcats came back to defeat Walsh Jesuit 30-27 thanks to a touchdown pass from Dennis Grosel to Jimmy Burger with 8 seconds to go in regulation.
The first quarter started off with a productive first possession from the Warriors that resulted in a field goal to make it 3-0. The Wildcats quickly answered with a Dennis Grosel touchdown pass to make it 7-3 with 5:29 to go. That score would hold as it was 7-3 ‘Cats to end the first quarter.
The Wildcats and Warriors both had more offensive fireworks throughout the next quarter. Grosel ran it in for a touchdown, but the PAT was missed and the score was 13-3. Walsh Jesuit responded with a touchdown of their own to make it 13-10. Both teams nailed field goals before the half and it was 16-13 in favor of Saint Ignatius heading into the intermission.
The third quarter saw both teams stumped offensively. Walsh Jesuit scored on a short touchdown pass to make it 20-16 with 2:55 to go in the quarter. Dean Stowers set up Grosel and Company with a big return on the kickoff. Grosel scored with his legs again, his second on the night, to make it 23-20 heading into the final quarter.
If you thought that was dramatic, the fourth quarter surpassed any expectations that you may have had. Still down 3 points, the Warriors fumbled the ball with 6:00 to go in the game. Walsh Jesuit would get a second chance and they made the most of it. A big 4th down conversion with around 2:00 to go saw a miraculous escape from the Warriors and a rainbow pass to set them up for a first down.
Then with 53 seconds to go, the Warriors stunned Saint Ignatius and took a 27-23 lead. The Wildcats had one last chance to score and save their playoff hopes, and they stepped up big time. With 18 seconds to go Dennis Grosel patiently waited in the pocket and threw a pass that went right into the arms of Jimmy Berger. Berger outran the defenders and dove into the end zone for the game winning score to make it 30-23 in favor of the ‘Cats.
The defense stopped the last chance effort by the Warriors. The Wildcats prevailed on their way to a thrilling 30-27 victory over the Walsh Jesuit Warriors, due in large part to a Grosel to Berger touchdown, with 8 seconds left.
