By Ryan Mink
rmink@digitalsports.com
It was double overtime, for the second straight game, and Paul VI running back Idreis Augustas wasn’t going to be stopped.
He took the handoff at the 14-yard line, spun through a tackle at the 9-yard line, stiff-armed through a pair of Gonzaga defenders and shed one more at the goal line for the game-winning touchdown last Friday.
That sent off a wild celebration at Paul VI last Friday night as the Panthers beat Gonzaga, 41-35, on Senior Night. It was emotional for more reasons than that. Paul VI lost the previous Friday night to St. John’s in double overtime, fell by just 8 points to DeMatha the weekend before that and lost to Bishop McNamara at home in the final seconds before that.
The mantra on the Paul VI sidelines as the game wore on was “Not today,” as in, the Panthers weren’t going to stand for another crushing loss. And Augustas, who rushed for five touchdowns and 268 yards embodied that attitude.
“Our kids have really hung together and it’s a testament to the type of players we have,” Paul VI Coach Patrick McGroarty said.
Paul VI improves to 3-5 overall after notching its first WCAC win of the season. Gonzaga fell to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in the conference, putting the Eagles currently in a three-way tie with O’Connell and Bishop McNamara for the fourth and final WCAC playoff spot.
The Panthers scored on their first drive, capped by an Augustas 19-yard touchdown run. But Gonzaga sophomore quarterback Kevin Hogan was slinging. Hogan, who finished 12-of-23 passing for 301 yards and four touchdowns, set up an Alan Elder 15-yard touchdown run.
Paul VI answered back just minutes before the end of the half with an 18-yard touchdown reception by Dominic Sanders but Hogan connected with Ricky Neville on a 78-yard touchdown pass on Gonzaga’s first offensive play of the next series. Gonzaga took a 21-14 lead into halftime on a 20-yard pass from Hogan to Chris Speros.
The Panthers, however, scored the first two touchdowns of the second half, both on Augustas runs. The Eagles responded with a 33-yard pass from Hogan to Neville, Paul VI countered with another Augustas touchdown run and lastly Gonzaga, with just 35 seconds left in regulation, scored its final touchdown on a 36-yard heave to Max Johnston.
Gonzaga attempted to go for the win on a two-point conversion but after the play seemed to be successful, a penalty was called. Add on a false start and the Eagles were relying on kicker Robbie Colas to make a long extra point, which he did, to send the game to overtime.
Paul VI got the ball first and began to drive once again behind its strong offensive line and Augustas. But the senior running back fumbled on the 8-yard line. Sanders recovered for Paul VI but he was stripped and Hogan recovered that fumble to end Paul VI’s first overtime attempt.
The Eagles hardly moved anywhere on their first possession and were left with Colas attempting a near 50-yard field goal, which fell short – but not by much.
Gonzaga had the first possession of the second overtime and quickly drove to the 1-yard line with first-and-goal. But Paul VI stuffed the Eagles on three consecutive plays, forcing a short field goal by Colas.
It took Paul VI only two plays to capitalize. The first was an 11-yard run up the middle by Dan McGroarty in which he dragged a handful of Eagles several yards. The second play was Augustas’ bouncing, spinning, powerful touchdown run to end the game and ease the Panthers’ late-game pain.
Box Score 1 2 3 4 OT OT — F
Gonzaga 0 21 0 14 0 3 — 38
Paul VI 7 7 7 14 0 7 — 41
Scoring Plays
1Q — P6 — Augustas 19 run (Scarbrough kick)
2Q — GZ — Elder 15 run (Colas kick)
2Q — P6 — Sanders 18 pass from Richards (Scarbrough kick)
2Q — GZ — Neville 78 from Hogan (Colas kick)
2Q — GZ — Speros 23 from Hogan (Colas kick)
3Q — P6 — Augustas 7 run (Scarbrough kick)
4Q — P6 — Augustas 22 run (Scarbrough kick)
4Q — GZ — Neville 33 from Hogan (Colas kick)
4Q — P6 — Augustas 5 run (Scarbrough kick)
4Q — GZ — Johnson 36 from Hogan (Colas kick)
6Q — GZ — Colas 20 FG
6Q — P6 — Augustas 14 run
**Click HERE for full video highlights
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