Brother Martin holds off Holy Cross for 26-22 win on Homecoming.

NEW ORLEANS – It was a happy homecoming for Brother Martin, 26-22 winners over Holy Cross on Friday night at Tad Gormley Stadium.

The end of the game featured a couple of crazy sequences.

Brother Martin junior tight end Michael Clapp caught the go-ahead touchdown on a 54-yard touchdown pass with 3:26 left in the game.

The Crusaders were facing a 3rd and 25 after two consecutive penalties backed them up to their own 46 yard line before the big play but Clapp came wide open across the middle. Senior quarterback John-Paul Pierce hit him in stride.

The teams exchanged punts before Holy Cross faced a 4th and 20 from their own 10 yard line with less than two minutes left in the game .Tigers senior quarterback Jaden Moran scrambled out the pocket and threw up a prayer, and it was answered.

Senior wide receiver Tyler Kirkwood caught the ball off of a deflection, picking up 64 yards and setting Holy Cross up with 1st and 10 from the Brother Martin 26-yard line.

Two plays later on 2nd and 10, Kirkwood dropped what would have likely been the game-winner in the back corner of the end zone.

Brother Martin senior safety Matthew Alfonso intercepted Moran on 4th and 10, sealing the game for the Crusaders.

“We’ve got some momentum now,” Bonis said. “Last year, we did the same thing. We started 2-3 and then made a run. We just gotta keep getting better and clean up the mistakes.”

Brother Martin (3-4, 1-2 District 9-5A) has fashioned a two-game winning streak after starting 1-4.

Holy Cross (4-3, 3-1 District 9-5A) was unable to follow up after their big win over Rummel last week.

The Crusaders came into the game missing five starters due to injury. Brother Martin head coach Mark Bonis highlighted his team’s resilience after the game.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” Bonis said. “Our tight end that caught the (game winning touchdown) pass is a second string guy. Our running back tonight was a third string guy. They stepped up and waited their turn. I couldn’t be any more proud of these guys.”

Next week, Brother Martin will take on Rummel in a game to be broadcast live on CrescentCitySports.com next Saturday night in Joe Yenni Stadium. Holy Cross will try to rebound next Friday against district-leading John Curtis.