SJCC fights back for emotional win over Danville
It looked for a second as though a Danville defender intercepted a pass from St. Joseph Central Catholic quarterback Spencer Harrison in the third quarter Saturday to add to the Crimson Streaks’ misery.
Instead, things were finally going SJCC’s way as the Crimson Streaks earned a 23-20 victory over Danville to break a 17-game losing streak. Ross Snyder also had his hands on the ball and simultaneous possession went to the offense for a 9-yard gain.
“We caught it at the same time,” Snyder said. “I knew it goes to the offense. I was just hoping the ref didn’t think he had it first. This game felt different. We’d been so close the last four games. We just had to find the extra inch to get through.”
Snyder capped the drive with a touchdown and caught the go-ahead score from Harrison with 12 seconds left. Harrison lofted the ball into the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown as Snyder reached high above his head with another SJCC receiver behind him.
“(The defender) pressed me,” Snyder said. “He flew to the sideline with the safety and the middle opened up. Spencer threw a perfect ball and I held on for dear life.”
The Crimson Streaks (1-4) lost 17 straight games, including a 64-0 shutout loss to Danville last season. Linemen Eric Fulwider and Noah Price reminded their teammates of the setback and pledged things would soon be different.
After a winless season, SJCC was starting to feel snake-bit with one score losses the last two weeks. The Crimson Streaks lost a turnover inside the five in each game.
Several SJCC players took a moment to sort their feelings while taking a knee on the sideline after Snyder’s touchdown.
“I love my team,” Harrison said of the biggest source for emotion. “The offensive and defensive lines go hard every play. They said we’d win at practice this week and we put in the effort. We turned it around and played relaxed and confident in the second half.”
Zach Militello caught a 35-yard touchdown from Harrison for a 14-10 deficit with only 21 seconds gone in the third quarter. Danville, however, responded immediately with a touchdown drive for a 20-10 lead.
The Crimson Streaks weren’t demoralized as they answered with a scoring drive of their own. Chris Morrisette had three catches for first downs during the possession and SJCC didn’t see a third down.
Snyder scored from 2 yards out for a 20-17 deficit with 2:47 left in the third quarter. SJCC forced a three-and-out before driving from its own 11 to Danville’s 2 and missing a field goal.
SJCC forced a punt and took possession at its own 23 with 3 minutes, 55 seconds remaining.
Militello and Morrisette each had a catch for a first down during the ensuing drive. The Crimson Streaks lost yardage on consecutive plays before Snyder’s go-ahead catch.
“Everybody had confidence that was the drive we’d be able to do it with,” Sndyer said of winning. “This is a good start. We finally got the first one. The next one’s should come easier.”
Alex Baez kicked a 23-yard field goal for a 14-3 deficit with 22 seconds left in the first half. Morrisette had four catches during the possession.
Derek Rosengarten had multiple hits on Danville’s quarterback and made plays all over the field.
“It’s been so long,” Rosengarten said. “You give everything you have out there. When you leave it all out there and get something back, it’s a different feeling.”
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