by The St. Ignatius Wildcats welcomed the St. Xavier Bombers to Byers Field for the Paul Lammermeier Memorial Cup. It would be the Bombers winning in overtime in come-from-behind fashion, 21-14. Both teams’ defenses played really well throughout. From big-time plays and stifling both teams’ passing attacks, it was a defensive masterclass.
St. Xavier looked like they would get on the board first after driving all the way down to the 3-yard line. However, a false start penalty and a strong stand from the Wildcats led to the Bombers attempting a field goal. It was blocked by the special teams unit, setting up the tone early. The Wildcats would then strike first when Joshua Papesh found Jordon Rodman wide-open in the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown. Saint Ignatius would hold a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Ignatius was in prime position to extend their lead. Papesh hit Jonathan Merimee downfield for a 26-yard connection. That play put the Wildcats in the red zone. But, a 15-yard penalty for an illegal block on the next play would derail the drive. With under a minute to go in the first half St. Ignatius defensive back Cody Haddad would intercept Bombers quarterback Chase Herbstreit. However, Papesh’s unit made the same costly mistake. Lucas Bishop of the Bombers returned the favor with a pick of his own. After all of that terrific defense, the Wildcats lead remained 7-0 at halftime.
Both teams’ offenses would hit huge plays to start the second half. On the first play from scrimmage, Haddad took a screen pass 71 yards for a Wildcats touchdown. Then, just two plays later, the Bomber’s other quarterback Daniel Vollmer took off for a 79-yard rushing score. The Bombers had a chance for some more points after putting together a long drive that took up a huge chunk of the third quarter. However, the kicking unit failed on the field goal attempt.
Early in the fourth quarter, it looked like St. Ignatius had forced a Bombers punt. Instead, it was a fake, completed to senior defensive lineman Ted Hammond. He went 49 yards for a Bombers touchdown to tie the game at 14. After a huge defensive stop from Haddad, the Wildcats got the ball back with 2:39 left. On second down, Papesh was looking deep downfield. But, it was intercepted by Andrew Weber. Moments later St. Ignatius got another huge play from Haddad. He intercepted Vollmer’s deep ball to give the ball back to Ignatius. Neither offense was able to capitalize on the turnovers, however. The game would head to overtime with tensions at max capacity.
Just three plays in, Steven Napier would give the Bombers the lead on a 6-yard rushing touchdown. Shockingly, all 3 of the plays for the Bombers were run plays with Napier. Furthermore, he had zero carries in regulation. The Wildcats now needed a touchdown to stay alive. On third and goal from the 11, Papesh would be sacked by Nate Brice and Caron Seymour. The sack put the Wildcats back to the 20-yard line on fourth down. All Papesh and the offense could do was take a shot to the end zone. Unfortunately, the ball fell incomplete, sealing the deal for the Bombers in a wild game. This time, the Paul Lammermeier Memorial Cup is going home to Cincinnati.
Player Of The Game:
Daniel Vollmer 19 CAR 143 YDS 1 TD
2/6 Passing 20 YDS 1 INT
