Patriots

The Patriots started well. Quarterback Russell Minor-Shaw showed off both his legs and his arm. He broke off a 22yard run on the first play from scrimmage. Later, on fourth-and-14 from the 33, Minor-Shaw escaped the pocket and found Matt Zielinski in the end zone.

Although McDevitt answered quickly — Lonnie Rice scored the first of his two rushing touchdowns 1:08 after Zielinski’s score — the Lancers missed the extra point, and Carroll led 7-6 going into the second quarter.

But the Patriots couldn’t build their advantage, nor could they keep pace with McDevitt’s quick-strike offense. Each stalled Carroll drive in the second was met with a Lancer touchdown.

Jovan Hinton, who rotated snaps with Rice in the first half before leaving with an injury, hit Emmanuel Sia down the right side at the 6:03 mark of the second quarter to give McDevitt its first lead. Jon-Luke Peaker rushed for a game-high 147 yards and made sure he got a score to go with it when he slipped in from the three just before the half. The Lancers (7-3, 5-2 Catholic League Blue) went into the locker room with 20-7 lead.

They quickly added another touchdown. With the help of a 56-yard kick return by Mike Price, Rice scored from the 13, then ran for the two-point conversion to make it 28-7.

“I just like the way all of our underclassmen stepped up, and our backfield got it done,” Rice said. “The o-line was just driving and driving and opening holes so that we could make plays.”

In addition to the three-touchdown difference, Carroll also faced the prospect of fighting back without its starting quarterback. Minor-Shaw took a hit at the close of the first half and left the stadium in a sling.

The Patriots, however, showed life despite the adversity. Malachi Hansen picked off Rice, as did Butler in spectacular fashion, falling down and snaring a tipped pass just before it hit the ground.

“I feel like I should’ve caught it the first time,” Butler said. “But it was awesome.”

That interception set up Carroll’s final scoring drive: Jalil Warren, on fourth-and-goal from the one, eased the red zone woes with a short touchdown. It gave the Patriots (4-5, 2-5 PCL Blue) a positive note to end on.

“They’re still learning how to win,” Detweiler said of his young group. “That’s why we’ve had the season we’ve had.”

Carroll has failed to capitalize on them all season. But the Patriots get a shot at redemption next week when they play Bonner & Prendergast in the Catholic League Playoffs.

“We’ve lost games that we should’ve won,” Butler said. “It’s going to be in the back of our mind all week. It’s do or die.”