Our Lady of Good Counsel edges Catholic on late field goal, 38-35

BATON ROUGE – Our Lady of Good Counsel came down to Louisiana from Olney, Maryland looking to return the favor from a 38-10 defeat a year ago at the hands of Catholic High.

Mission accomplished.

Ryan Capriotti’s 25-yard field goal with four seconds remaining gave the visiting Falcons a 38-35 victory over the Bears at Memorial Stadium.

“We were definitely montivated from that loss. Last year we had a young team. That game helped these guys to grow up later on in the season.” said Our Lady head coach Andy Stefanelli. “We definitely wanted to come down here and make a good showing.”

After nearly an hour lightning delay, the teams produced fireworks in the first half, combining for 56 points and a 28-28 tie at the break.

Defenses gained control for a large part of the second half while special teams decided the outcome.

Kamari Randall returned a fumbled punt snap to give Our Lady of Good Counsel their first lead at 35-28.

The Bears evened the score on a 16-yard pass from quarterback Daniel to Daniel Harden with 5:08 to play.

“They’ve got a good team and do we,” Catholic head coach Andy Martin said. “Our defense did a great job making second half adjustments. It was just one of those deals that came down to the last possession and they got it.”

In a sign of things to come on the night, LSU commit Shelton Sampson returned the opening kickoff 96 yards to the Falcons two-yard line. Beale scored on a sneak three plays later to put the Bears on top.

Our Lady of Good Counsel’s Pey Pey Nelson tied the game on a 65 yards jaunt to even the score.

Catholic appeared to have taken control with back-to-back scores. Beale connected with Sampson from six yards out, and a 20 yard romp by Barry Remo II to put the Bears up 21-7.

The Falcons showed they weren’t deterred, soaring with more explosive plays.

Kamari Randall’s 26 yard touchdown was followed by a 55-yard scoring run by Dillin Jones on the next drive.

Sampson capped another drive with his second touchdown grab but Randall rounded out the first half with yet another Our Lady of Good Counsel big play. His 58 yard scoring reception capped an wild opening half.

Catholic (0-1) will look to rebound Friday night against Warren Easton at Pan American Stadium in New Orleans while Our Lady of Good Counsel (2-0) travels to Cincinnati to play Archbishop Moeller.