Sunday, August 31, 2014

SJP begins title defense with narrow win in Chicago

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- For the third straight year, the St. Joseph’s Prep football team opened its season by going on the road to defeat a national powerhouse.

And it did so under the watchful, and somewhat cocky eyes of former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who released the following on his Twitter account: "Time 2 show our out of town guest from St. Joes Prep how real football is played. We Are MC."

The Hawklets (1-0) scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday and hung on to beat McNabb's alma mater of Mount Carmel of Chicago, 28-27, at Toyota Park.

The Prep, ranked No. 1 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, took a 28-21 lead with 6 minutes, 32 seconds remaining by taking advantage of a fortunate bounce. Jack Clements’ pass was intended for Terrence Green over the middle, but it deflected into the hands of Jon Reid in the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown. Reid, who is bound for Penn St., caught two touchdown passes.

Clements, a senior entering his first full season as a starter, went 11 for 15 for 206 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Caravan (0-1). Olamide Zaccheaus rushed for 112 yards, including a 37-yard score in the first quarter.

Mount Carmel, the two-time defending Illinois state champions, drove for a touchdown with 2:23 left, but the extra point missed wide left. The Caravan had one last chance with the ball, but a Zaccheaus tackle forced them to turn it over on downs with about 30 seconds remaining.

The Prep, who are defending PIAAA Class AAAA champions, beat Dallas Jesuit in the opener last season and defeated Cocoa (Fla.) the previous year.

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