Cardinals Hold off Episcopal, 26-24

RB Perris Jones' 30 yd TD sprint provided the critical margin in the Cardinals' 26-24 thrilling win at EHS.

The Bishop Ireton football team (3-1) made the short trip to Episcopal High School (1-1) on Saturday, September 20 with a firm belief that they could compete with their much ballyhooed hosts.

The 2014 Cardinals played hard in each of their first three games and knew it would take a total team effort to derail a Maroon squad that won their first game of the season 44 – 6 the previous week. Like a heavyweight prize fight, the teams went toe to toe before the Cardinals took a final knee to preserve a 26 – 24 victory.

The teams traded big plays in the first half, but both defenses stiffened in the red zone, forcing the offenses to settle for field goals. Ireton led 6 – 5 thanks to David Cooper’s 32 and 21 yard field goals. Coach Verducci spoke to the team about fighting until the final bell at half time, explaining that the team’s mental strength and conditioning would provide the Cardinals with an edge. Joe Dickinson’s first pass of the second half wound up in the hands of a Maroon defender for a quick touchdown, but Charlie Ladd and Corey Johnson broke up a two-point conversion attempt, so the Cardinals faced a deficit of five points.

Dickinson came right back, finding sophomore Sam Smith on a 39-yard pass and the Cardinals drove deep into Episcopal territory before senior Andrew Latrash followed his offensive line into the end zone to reclaim the lead at 12 – 11. Dickinson spread the ball around on the next Cardinal possession, finding Ryan Scott, Brenden Peifer and Harrison Mertins to give the team a first down on the EHS 27 yard line.

From there, sophomore RB Perris Jones followed blocks from Ryan Verducci and Michael Commeree to give his team a 19 – 11 lead after Cooper’s extra point. The Cardinals were on the move early in the fourth quarter when Dickinson threw a perfect spiral “over the top” for a touchdown to the 6’4” Peifer. The 26 – 11 lead did not last for long as the home team “got up off the mat” with a big 70 yard pass and catch. The Cardinal defense stuffed the two point attempt, holding a 26 – 17 advantage.

The Episcopal defense stiffened and the offense gave the crowd a full dose of drama with a 20-yard touchdown with five minutes left on the clock. The Cardinal defense, led by senior linebacker Josh Ammon and junior defensive tackle Trey Lovisone, dug in to protect the lead. Junior safety Alex Duke made a “Top 10” interception on the Cardinal sideline and sophomore safety Chandler Wilder ended the final Episcopal possession with an interception near midfield. From there Dickinson, Duke and Latrash took turns running the ball for a final first down and the Cardinal’s third victory of the season.

Ireton is the homecoming guest for St. Stephen & St. Agnes on Saturday, September 27. The 2:00 PM start with be the fourth road game in five contests for a tough Cardinal squad.

Box Score: 1 2 3 4 Total

Bishop Ireton 0 6 13 7 26

Episcopal 3 2 6 13 24