Calvary Baptist rallies for 34-28 state title game win in thriller over St. Charles Catholic

NEW ORLEANS – Football games are not over until the clock hits zero. Calvary Baptist proved that Saturday afternoon at the Caesars Superdome by scoring 21 unanswered second-half points to beat St. Charles Catholic, 34-28.

Around three minutes after the Comets had pushed their lead to 28-13, Calvary Baptist had started their rally. James Simon scored his third and final touchdown of the night on a 25-yard carry.

In pursuit of a third consecutive state title, St. Charles Catholic held a 28-19 lead heading into the fourth quarter. After multiple defensive stands by each team, the Cavaliers made their move.

Wardell found Aubrey Hermes in the endzone on a 20-yard touchdown to move the Cavaliers within two. With the Comets up 28-26, Calvary Baptist’s defense forced a crucial turnover on downs with 40 seconds left.

After three quick check-down plays, Cavaliers quarterback Abram Wardell threw a laser to Kolby Thomas for a 20-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left. Wardell hit Hermes for the ensuing two-point conversion.

Wardell ended the night with 249 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns including the game winner.

St. Charles Catholic opened up the scoring with a short pass from Brady St. Pierre to Daniel Joseph, who ran after 56 yards after the catch to put the Comets up 7-0 in the middle of the first quarter.

Calvary Baptist (14-0) scored in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run by Simon. However, the Comets managed to block the extra point attempt to stay in front, 7-6.

St. Charles Catholic (13-1) quickly answered on their next drive with a impressive 46-yard touchdown run by Jeremiah Wills to make it 14-6. However, the Cavaliers followed suit. Simon’s three-yard run again made it a one-point game at 14-13.

Named Most Outstanding Player for the Cavaliers, Simon finished with 191 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Wardell suffered only his second interception of the season late in the half, and the Comets took advantage of the turnover. A 14-yard scoring connection between St. Pierre and Joseph put the Comets up 21-13 going into halftime.

St. Pierre ended the night with 132 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. His number one target was Joseph who notched 96 yards and two touchdowns.

On the ground for the Comets, Skylar Edwards and Wills put up 86 yards and 74 yards with two touchdowns, respectively.

Midway through the third quarter, St. Charles looked to have built a comfortable lead for their stout defense to protect when Wills, who garnered the Most Outstanding Player honor for St. Charles, ran for a four-yard touchdown to give the Comets a 28-13 lead that did not hold up.

The Comets defense also put up impressive numbers with Logan Barrios, Jaden Breaux, Kayden Cambre, and Re’Shawn Hilaire all notching sacks and Brayden Bertucci coming down with an interception.

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