Eight the hard way Eight the hard way (October 28, 2005)

Lancers score last-second TD to win battle of 'heavyweights'

By Scott Campbell

In a heart-stopping finish that included two lead changes in the final five minutes and a controversial ruling by the officials, St. Francis notched a dramatic victory over Bellarmine, 31-28.

The Lancers' fourth-quarter comeback was their first this season, preserving the team's undefeated record.

"I kind of liken it to a heavyweight fight," said St. Francis coach Mike Mitchell. "We were punching each other out ... they had us on the ropes. I've been a part of a lot of St. Francis-Bellarmine games, but that's probably the wildest one."

Trailing 24-21 with just under nine minutes remaining, Bellarmine (6-2, 2-1 West Catholic) embarked on a 69-yard drive. The Bells twice converted fourth-and-one plays, the second a risky Jordan Vargas-to-Mark Canha pass that went for 57 yards, all the way to the Lancers' four-yard line.

Three plays later, Matt Zuniga leaped above the pile at the goal line for a one-yard score, his second of the game, to give Bellarmine its first lead with 4:22 left in the game.

Not to be outdone on Homecoming and Senior Night by its hated rival, St. Francis showed its mettle. The Lancers (8-0, 4-0 WCAL) shook off turnovers on their two previous possessions that had allowed Bellarmine to erase a 24-7 deficit, calmly moving down the field while knowing that they needed a touchdown.

St. Francis quarterback Richie Scudellari, who had earlier thrown his first two interceptions of the season, regrouped to steady the offense when it needed his leadership the most. The senior completed five of seven passes on the game-winning drive, none bigger than an 18-yarder to wide receiver Joel Shaw on a critical fourth-and-10 play with 1:35 remaining.

Facing another fourth-down situation four plays later, the Lancers benefited from an unusual penalty, a delay-of-game called on Bellarmine's defensive coordinator John Amarillas for stepping onto the field when he believed St. Francis had called a timeout.

The five-yard penalty and fresh set of downs with 39 seconds remaining gave St. Francis the momentum it needed. After an eight-yard reception by running back Matt Taufoou brought the Lancers to the one-yard line, the senior co-captain powered through for the game-winning touchdown with 27 seconds remaining.

"It was crazy," said Taufoou, who rushed 10 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns. "Our team kept its composure. You win games in the fourth quarter."

St. Francis took a 17-7 halftime lead in large part due to Ryan Perry's two-way contributions. The running back-slash-defensive back ran for a seven-yard touchdown and twice intercepted Vargas.

The Bells' quarterback completed eight of 16 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown, while running back Joe Borromeo rushed 16 times for 97 yards and a touchdown.

St. Francis' victory eliminated the Bells from a three-team logjam atop the WCAL. It also helped prepare the Lancers for the type of game expected in their looming showdown at Valley Christian on Nov. 4 after a well-deserved bye. The Warriors (7-1, 4-0 WCAL) are the defending WCAL and CCS Open Division Champions.

Following St. Francis' 27-26 defeat to the Bells in 2004, a loss that ended the Lancers' hopes for the WCAL title, this win added satisfaction.

"We finally lived up to our billing," said Scudellari, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown, and also kicked a 34-yard field goal.

"Every win is a statement of some sort, but this is big ... because we showed everybody we're not going away."

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