The high school football season got off to a great start on Saturday at Northeast.
Father Judge faced Archbishop Ryan in the Northeast Classic, and it was an instant classic.
Junior Kevin Schmanek kicked a 22-yard field goal in overtime to help Judge defeat Ryan, 16-13.
That was Judge’s only lead.
Ryan took a 6-0 lead on the first play of the game when sophomore Kazmaire Kelly ran for an 80-yard touchdown.
Later in the first quarter, Schmanek kicked a field goal to make it 6-3, and that remained the score at halftime.
In the third quarter, Schmanek booted a 37-yard field goal to make it 6-6.
Later, Judge’s Xavier Diaz and Ryan’s Cameron Jones recorded interceptions, but the score stayed tied.
Then, after the Raiders’ Neal Regan recovered a fumble, Kelly ran for a 50-yard touchdown and the extra point by Thanas Strati made it 13-6 Ryan with 3:13 to go in the game.
The Crusaders could not move the ball, and the Raiders took over in Judge territory with 1:20 on the clock and Judge with two timeouts.
However, on the next play, Judge’s Robert Gormley picked up a fumble and raced to the Ryan 2-yard line. Camron Watts scored on a 2-yard run, and Schmanek’s extra point made it 13-13.
Ryan got the ball first in overtime and attempted a 35-yard field goal that was blocked by Chase Jones, a versatile junior who had a good all-around game.
Judge ran two plays before Schmanek’s game-winning field goal.
The Northeast Times and state Sen. Joe Picozzi sponsored Most Valuable Player and Sportsmanship awards for both teams.
Gormley, a senior who ran the ball well all day, was Judge’s MVP. Schmanek won the Sportsmanship award.
Ryan’s Most Valuable Player was Kelly. The Sportsmanship award went to senior lineman Chase Lowe.
Each received a nice plaque designed by Spike’s Trophies.
Before the game, the crowd stood for a version of the Star-Spangled Banner performed by Dolly Parton. ••
