KNIGHTS HAVE THEIR DAY
Catholic Memorial shuts down BC High
John DiBiaso wanted to make sure before any of his players looked toward Catholic Memorial’s impending Super Bowl appearance, they took care of business on Thanksgiving Day. Mission accomplished. Barrett Pratt finished 5-of-7 for 152 yards and four total touchdowns as Catholic Memorial claimed the Pumpkin Trophy with a 37-15 win over BC High at James Cotter Field. Catholic Memorial will play for the Division 1 state title next Saturday at Gillette Stadium. “I told the boys we couldn’t talk about the Super Bowl until now,” said DiBiaso. “Now it’s official. We had to endure all the cold, but it just makes it that much sweeter to walk out with a win.” Amid swirling winds that made the air feel below zero, the Knights’ (9-2) offense fired on all cylinders. After BC High (4-7) trimmed a 16-point deficit early in the third quarter to 16-7 on a Carter Rice 42-yard touchdown run, the Knights answered, and then pulled away. On first and 10 from the BC High 38-yard line, the Knights ran a flea flicker to perfection with Pratt connecting with Hunter Tully for a 38-yard touchdown to put CM up 22-7. The Knights’ defense forced a three-and out, and a punt knocked down by the wind set the CM offense up at the Eagles’ 30-yard line. One play later, Pratt hit Zach Mitchel for his third and final touchdown pass of the afternoon to put CM in control, 30-7. “It’s very satisfying (to get this win) for me, but it’s probably more for these young men,” said DiBiaso. “It meant a lot for them to finish the season off on the right before heading to the Super Bowl next week.” The Knights were in control from the opening kickoff. On their first drive of the game, CM ran 16 plays, all on the ground, with Pratt capping off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run up the middle to give the Knights a 7-0 lead. After the CM defense forced a three-and-out, its offense went on a second consecutive long drive. Highlighted by a 24-yard completion from Pratt to Khari Johnson and a three yard pickup by Jamall Griffin on fourth down and two, the Knights moved down to the BC High 15-yard line on 14 plays. Matt Sokol finished the drive with a 27-yard field goal. Pratt connected with Johnson on the Knights’ final drive of the half for a 16-yard touchdown to put CM up 16-0 at the intermission.