UPDATE: In a stunning turnaround, Bishop Eustace triumphed over Holy Cross Prep with a decisive 28-12 victory during a high-stakes football matchup at Allison Field in Pennsauken on October 10, 2023. The game shifted dramatically after a crucial interception by Colin Boyle, which ignited a scoring frenzy for Bishop Eustace.
The Lancers initially took control, establishing a 12-0 lead in the first half through a 12-yard touchdown pass from Shane Reilley to Anthony D’Ambrosio and a 2-yard sneak from Reilley. However, a critical fumble during a red-zone attempt foreshadowed trouble ahead.
Just after halftime, Boyle intercepted a pass on the first play, a pivotal moment that turned the tide for Bishop Eustace. “I saw the wide receiver coming across, and I knew I had to go get that interception,” Boyle stated. This momentum shift led to a rapid succession of points as the Crusaders capitalized on turnovers.
Bishop Eustace not only regained the lead but also scored 22 points in the second half, all originating from turnovers. Following Boyle’s interception, the Crusaders marched down the field, with quarterback Eric Beach connecting with teammates for key plays, including a 12-yard completion to Sincere Portobianco on a crucial third down. Roman Faiola then scored a 3-yard touchdown, marking Bishop Eustace’s first lead of the game at 14-12.
The Lancers’ struggles continued as they fumbled their next possession, allowing Bishop Eustace to extend their lead. The Crusaders’ efficient offense continued to exploit the gaps, with Beach completing 21 of 31 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown, while Faiola added significant yardage on the ground.
As the game progressed into the fourth quarter, Bishop Eustace maintained their dominance, scoring again after converting on a fourth down. Faiola capped off the drive with another touchdown run, pushing the score to 28-12.
Holy Cross Prep’s coach, T.J. Maderia, acknowledged the impact of turnovers on the game. “You can’t lose the turnover battle and expect to win,” he remarked. Holy Cross struggled with maintaining possession, committing multiple turnovers, including an interception and two fumbles in the second half.
Looking ahead, Bishop Eustace stands at 4-1 for the season and remains undefeated in WJFL United Division play. Coach Sal Racobaldo expressed pride in his team’s resilience and growth since last season. “We see this thing going and we’re proud of it,” he said.
Holy Cross Prep, now 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the division, will face a challenging match against KIPP next week. As both teams gear up for their upcoming games, the pressure mounts to capitalize on lessons learned from this pivotal encounter.
Follow the latest updates as Bishop Eustace continues its pursuit of a successful season!