From long touchdowns to goal line stands to controversial decisions from the officials, yesterday’s CHSFL Class AAA quarterfinal between St. Joseph by the Sea and Iona Prep had a little bit of everything.
In the end, a stellar day from Iona quarterback Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, combined with a pair of big defensive stops, allowed the Gaels to win, 40-29, advancing to next week’s semifinals.
Iona Prep (4-5) had their way with the Vikings’ secondary all day, with Woodson-Samuels picking apart the defense with a variety of wide receiver screens. The senior quarterback was a staggering 34-for-38 for 379 yards and four touchdowns, with Peter DeSalvo (15 receptions, 141 yards) and Michael Dunkley (eight, 117, two touchdowns) doing most of the damage.
“We knew from the get-go that, speed-wise, we don’t match up with them,” St. Joseph by the Sea coach Greg Manos said. “I think we didn’t get off blocks fast enough, and that’s what they do.
“We just couldn’t get off blocks fast enough to make the tackles, and when we did get off blocks, they came back inside. They’re just a good team.”
Despite all of that, the Vikings still had their chances to win the game, as they were held without points twice inside the five-yard line. After a 43-yard pass on fourth down from Joe Lane to Lyle McCombs got the ball to the Iona 14-yard line with nine seconds remaining in the half, the two hooked up on the next play, only to have McCombs stopped at the 1-yard line as the half ended with Sea trailing 20-14.
“It was like Kevin Dyson in (Super Bowl XXXIV),” McCombs said. “I was dragging across the middle and when Lane saw me, I was like, ‘Alright, this is a touchdown.’
“Then I catch it, turn around and he’s there.”
The second goal line stand, however, was even more deflating for St. Joseph’s by the Sea. Down 40-29 with just under six minutes remaining and with a third-and-goal from the 1-yard-line, the Vikings ran a dive with Chris Murphy. The line judge made what appeared to be a touchdown signal, causing the hometown fans to celebrate and for six points to be put on the scoreboard.
However, the officials said they hadn’t ruled him in the end zone, and then McCombs was ruled to have been stopped short on fourth down to all but end the game.
“It is what it is, but we can’t do anything about it now,” McCombs said.
St. Joseph’s by the Sea (6-2) had defeated the Gaels, 42-28, in Week 7, but Iona was without standout running back Jeffrey Mack. It was clear that having Mack on the field was a huge asset for the defending CHSFL ‘AAA’ champs. Whenever St. Joseph’s by the Sea tried to clamp down on the Gaels passing attack, they would just hand the ball to Mack and watch him make play after play.
“Tremendous,” Iona coach Vict Quirolo said of Mack, who rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. “He made plays when we didn’t have stuff. He makes things happen, and he puts us on another level.”
Even with Iona’s ability to move the ball at will against their defense, the Vikings stayed in the game thanks to a stellar performance from McCombs. The 5-foot-10 senior running back did everything for Sea — rushing for 118 yards on 22 carries, catching eight passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns and returning a punt 89 yards for a touchdown.
“I’m proud of this team,” McCombs said. “It was a pleasure for me to play with this team, with this group of guys.”