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| Catholic Memorial senior Jarrett Martin hauls in a 45-yard Hail Mary to lift the Knights past BC High. While Martin's catch will surely go down as one of the greatest plays in CM and MIAA football history, the night was not without its controversy. Photo from Catholic Memorial, and taken by Marcus Miller. |
BOSTON - The last 10 seconds can be replayed 100 times. It is still beyond comprehension.
For four endless minutes, No. 5 Catholic Memorial thought it had lost. The Knights believed their best shot at a sectional title to date had gone by the board.
Then, following a conference among the game's officials, a fumble changed to an incomplete pass, and two seconds put back on the clock gave the Knights new life.
Jarrett Martin made sure Catholic Memorial took full advantage. The senior wide receiver reeled in a Hail Mary from quarterback Nick Goffredo as time expired to give the Knights a stunning 21-20 victory over No. 1 BC High.
“I saw the ball coming short so I had to move forward and jump to go get it,” Martin said. “I am so proud that we were able to rebound. That’s just all heart.”
With the win Catholic Memorial advances to their first sectional final since the new playoff format was implemented.
Down 20-14 Catholic Memorial got the ball on their own 22-yard line with less than two minutes to play.
After a 12-yard pickup on the ground by Goffredo, two incompletions around a sack brought up fourth down and 12.
Goffredo kept the Knights alive with a 12-yard strike to Martin to get Catholic Memorial to midfield.
Two plays later, another completion to Martin for a dozen brought the Knights to the Eagles 37-yard line.
Then madness ensued.
On first and 10 at the BC High 37 and 10 seconds to play, Goffredo dropped back to pass and was immediately consumed by the Eagles’ pressure.
The ball squirted free and began to roll down the field before being corralled by a Knights’ lineman at the BC High 32 who was brought down by an Eagles’ defender.
Originally it looked as though BC High defensive lineman Elijah Miranda would be credited with a strip sack as time expired.
The officials, though, came together and ruled that Goffredo was not down, and his arm was coming forward, therefore the play resulted in an incomplete pass.
Two seconds were put back on the clock. That was all Catholic Memorial needed for an incredible game winning score.
“I am just speechless and so happy for these guys,” Martin said. “We’re going to the sectional finals for the first time ever. It’s incredible.”
Indeed, it was incredible. Hit the play button on the video and immediately you will find yourself asking numerous questions.
The only answer that mattered came from the officials.
BC High built a 20-7 halftime lead behind their dynamic backfield back trio of Will Bowen, Danny Abraham, and Matt Sullivan. The three combined for 202 yards on the ground and three scores to give the Eagles a 13-point lead at the break.
In the second half the Catholic Memorial defense prevented the Eagles from gaining any traction offensively, giving themselves an opportunity to get back in the game.
The Knights held BC High to two second half first down and never allowed them to get any sort of rhythm in the passing game. For the contest the Eagles attempted only four passes.
Still down 20-7, with under six minutes to go Knights’ running back Kion Tucker rushed for 25 yards to get inside the Eagles’ three-yard line before Goffredo punched in a one yard quarterback keeper to pull the Knights within a score.
The rest is history.
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