Holy Cross ends 17-game losing streak to Rummel in double OT

NEW ORLEANS – For all the talk about quarterbacks going into the Week 6 Catholic League tilt between Rummel and Holy Cross, the two head coaches insisted the focus remained on the teams.

Both squads made it a night to remember at Tad Gormley Stadium.

In the end, Holy Cross (4-2, 3-0 District 9-5A) needed key plays on offense, defense, and special teams to shock Rummel  (4-1, 1-1 District 9-5A) in double overtime, 25-24.

Wide receiver Kym Wimberly, in the game as a Wildcat quarterback, floated a jump pass ala Tim Tebow to tight end Rhett Weidenbacher for the decisive two-point conversion following the Tigers’ possession in the second extra period.

The Holy Cross sideline exploded in jubilation as the comeback was complete. The Tigers overcame a 14-0 halftime deficit to snap a 17-game losing streak to the Raiders, who had not lost to Holy Cross since 1995.

“Our coach called it up at the end,” Wimberly said of the game-winning pass. “It’s a play we only practice a little bit.  But my coach said, we’re going to go out all or nothing.”

Holy Cross coach Eric Rebaudo downplayed the significance of the win, emphasizing that consistency and focus are needed to continue his program’s success through the rugged Catholic League.

“We’re worried about one win at a time,” Rebaudo said.  “It’s a huge win, but we need to move on to next week already.  That’s the way we’ve got to treat it – we’ve got to move on to next week.”

The historic victory for the Tigers followed a failed bid to win the game outright in a frenzied two-and-a-half minute stretch at the end of regulation.  Holy Cross quarterback Jaden Moran led the Tigers from their own 11 into Rummel territory with under three minutes remaining.  Throwing deep down the sideline, Moran’s pass was intercepted by Rummel’s Caleb Powell, setting up the Raiders at their own 20.

The Raiders could not muster any yardage, however, going three and out and bringing on Chris Freibert to punt.  However, Joshua Gillard broke through to block and recover the kick to put Holy Cross at the Rummel 6.  Running back Landen Bates bulled in for a 1-yard touchdown run to knot the game at 14.

Rebaudo praised his defense for its effort, only allowing three first downs (two via penalty) to the Raiders in the second half and forcing six Rummel punts.

“Credit to my defensive coordinator and defensive staff,” Rebaudo said. “We settled down and made some adjustments in the second half, but all credit goes to the kids. They did a hell of a job. I’m proud of them.”

After forcing another 3-and-out, Holy Cross appeared poised to take home a win in regulation by reaching the Rummel 9 yard line with one second remaining.  Nolan Heitmeier lined up for thetie-breaking field goal try from 26 yards but missed the kick, sending the game into overtime.

After exchanging field goals by Heitmeyer and Freibert in the first extra period, both teams came up with touchdown passes in double overtime. Rummel’s Chandler Fields hit Ja’Marr Chase on a two-yard score before Moran connected with Wimberly for a 10-yard touchdown, setting up the final two-point try.

“We just made a few plays there at the end,” Rebaudo commented. “We had a few balls go our way, a few not, but at the end of the day we made a play to win the game.”

Fields’ arrival after transferring from Holy Cross ignited a transition to a spread passing attack for the Raiders, who had bombarded opponents for 943 yards and 15 touchdowns in the Raiders’ first four games.

Early on, it appeared that Fields would throw all over former team, managing 138 yards passing and another touchdown toss to stake Rummel to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

But the tides turned in favor of the Tigers and their stout defense. Fields amassed just 56 yards the rest of the way, finishing 11 of 31 passing for 194 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

After taking back the opening kick to near midfield, the Raiders wasted little time getting going, driving 53 yards on the game’s opening possession to take the lead on a 24-yard scoring strike from Fields to Chase, who tiptoed the end line for an acrobatic touchdown catch. Freibert booted the extra point for an early 7-0 advantage.

Two possessions later, Rummel fashioned a 10 play drive capped by Keirell Jackson’s 2-yard run. Two big passes from Fields to Koy Moore of 29 and 35 yards keyed the 69-yard march to make it 14-0.

The Raider momentum did not last, however.  After a Holy Cross punt, Fields had his unit on the move but Holy Cross linebacker Tyler Grubbs snagged a tipped pass for Fields’ first interception of the year.

“I thought our kids came out a little mistake-prone, weren’t executing, dropping passes,” Rebaudo said of the Tigers’ early struggles.  “At halftime we just said, ‘Guys, calm down, let’s make some plays.’”

After halftime, the Tigers looked to the air, as the former Rummel quarterback Moran authored a big-play drive of his own.  Facing third down inside his own 10, Moran aired it out for Tyler Kirkwood for a 52-yard completion just clearing the outstretched arms of Rummel’s Aaron Brule.

Later in the possession on fourth down, Moran heaved it deep again to the goal line.  Initially appearing to be an interception by Rummel’s Corey Smooth, the officials huddled and reversed the call, awarding the Tigers a 39-yard touchdown reception by Kym Wimberley on simultaneous possession.

“Both of them came down with the ball,” Rebaudo explained of the critical call. “When both come down with it together, it goes to the offense.  They got that one right.”

The 14-7 score would hold until the last minute and a half of the game before the wild finish.

Rummel will look to get back on track next week against Jesuit, while Holy Cross will try to keep its district mark unblemished against Brother Martin.

But perhaps the Tigers will take a little time to savor this one.

“We made a statement to the whole state right here,” Wimberly beamed.   “We haven’t beaten them in 24 years, so we came out here to make a statement for our team, for our alumni, anyone associated with Holy Cross.”