Instead of kicking an extra point to send this contest to a third overtime session, the Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders wanted to win it with a two-point conversion.

The handoff - the last play of double overtime - was to standout running back John Smith, but he was swallowed up by a Chaminade defensive line led by Thomas Jemison, Joseph Chabus, and Nicholas Fochetta as the Flyers prevailed in a thrilling 24-23 victory under Stepinac's Friday night lights. 

"That one play was definitely one of the most nerve-wracking plays of my football career, by far," reflected Jemison. "The play involved an inside zone from their running back, but we were more than ready to counter that play with a six-man pinch blitz."

"In situations like the ones we've found ourselves in lately, it all comes back to how hard you work," added Chaminade linebacker and captain Luca Smith. "I know, without a doubt, that we are the hardest-working team in the state, and it really shows in these kinds of games." 

This matchup between a pair of 2-1 squads got off to a slow start in the first half. The opening score of the game came from the Chaminade offense early in the second quarter, but it was the defense that set the table.

Smith not only strip-sacked Stepinac QB Jahmai McNeil, but he also recovered the fumble, setting the Flyers offense up inside the red zone. The rushing unit quickly cashed in, as Anthony Trapani maneuvered his way into the end zone from three yards out - his fifth touchdown of the season - to make it 7-0. 

Both teams added field goals later in the quarter to put the halftime score at 10-3 in favor of the Flyers.

The sloppiness continued out of intermission, as Stepinac lost a fumble, Chaminade missed a field goal, and the two teams combined for a number of penalties. Eventually, the Crusaders offense finally got something going, soaking up the final 6:11 of the third frame on a game-tying drive.

The big play of this touchdown drive was a 40-yard pass from QB Grayer Hong to wide receiver Jordyn Eaton, one which advanced the Crusaders deep into enemy territory. As time expired in the third, running back Julani Graham charged towards the end zone, but he coughed up the football as he attempted to cross the goal line. Fortunately for Stepinac, Eaton was there to scoop it up and even the score at 10.

Hong and McNeil split time at quarterback for the Crusaders. Hong played in the middle two quarters, while McNeil saw the bulk of the action in the first, fourth, and overtime periods. They combined for a total of 120 yards on 11 completions.

Deadlocked at 10, the Chaminade offense got the ball to start the fourth quarter. However, it was the Stepinac defense that made the first major play of the frame. 

Less than two minutes in, senior linebacker Derek Watson zoomed unblocked into the backfield and blew up Chaminade QB Sean Carnevale as he began his throwing motion. With the ball loose on the turf, senior linebacker Eddie Keeler picked it up and rumbled all the way to the house for a 44-yard scoop-n'-score, electrifying the home sideline and putting Stepinac up, 17-10.

Fortunately for the Flyers, it took them less than a minute to respond. On the first play from scrimmage after the fumble, Trapani took the handoff, ran through two tacklers, and sprinted down the left sideline for a remarkable 85-yard touchdown burst.

Just like that, the score was tied again, this time at 17.

"I knew I just needed one spark of energy to get us back, and I tried my best to do so," said Trapani. "Once I got in the open field, all I thought was, 'Don't get caught!'"

After a pair of punts, Stepinac got the ball with 6:54 to go in regulation. Despite facing multiple third downs, the Crusaders kept their drive alive thanks to Smith, who came into the game as the second-leading rusher in the AAA division. At the five-minute mark, he was able to find a crease and gallop for 19 yards to move the chains. Later, on 3rd-and-21, he caught a short screen pass and ran for another 26 yards. At this point, with the Crusaders now chewing the clock, it looked as if they had the win in their grasp. 

At the 1:36 mark, Stepinac had the ball at the Chaminade 19, seemingly in range for kicker Luke Harvey. However, the Crusaders decided to pass to pick up a few extra yards.

This decision cost them.

Big time.

McNeil attempted to dump the ball to receiver Richie DeMarco in the flat, but Trapani leapt and batted the ball up in the air, right into the waiting arms of defensive back Luca Mastronardi.

The Chaminade junior had green grass in front of him as he raced down the right sideline and was five yards from essentially winning the game before he was tracked down by DeMarco. Still, the Flyers were now well in range for a second straight game-winning field goal. 

After the interception, Chaminade had the ball all the way down at the Stepinac five, but Justin Jones lined up for the game-winning field goal with the ball at the 20. This was the result of a 15-yard chop block penalty. Instead of being a chip shot, the field goal was now 36 yards.

This increased distance proved costly for Jones and the Flyers, as the normally reliable kicker came up just short, sending the game to overtime.

Flags were a major issue for the Flyers all night. They committed a total of 13 penalties, costing them crucial yards throughout the contest. 

Stepinac got the initial offensive possession in overtime but were immediately faced with 4th-and-10. This was when the Crusaders made the first of two questionable decisions, as the offense stayed on the field. McNeil launched one deep into the end zone, but it was too far for DeMarco.

Once again, Chaminade had victory in its sights. Not too long after missing the kick at the end of regulation, Jones had a chance to avenge himself and send the Flyers faithful home happy. 

But the Stepinac special teams unit had other ideas.

The Crusaders toppled the Flyers offensive line and blocked Jones's kick, sending this wild contest to a second period of extra football. 

Based on the overtime rules, Chaminade's offense was sent right back on to the field. Immediately, they found themselves behind the sticks thanks to consecutive holding penalties. This forced Carnevale to the air, and he turned to his leading receiver, Sean Powers. 

On 1st-and-20, Powers ran an outstanding out route and found himself wide open. Carnevale delivered an accurate throw, and it was all Powers from there, spinning away from the sole defender in his way en route to a 30-yard score.

Jones drilled the PAT to make it 24-17 in favor of the Crimson and Gold.

Powers finished the contest with two catches for 47 yards, and he remains the Flyers' leading receiver after four games.

Stepinac now needed to score, and score they did.

On 3rd-and-13, McNeil rolled out left and found Eaton wide open over the middle. The senior receiver did the rest, as he pinballed off a few would-be tacklers for what seemed to be the equalizing score before Chaminade stopped the ensuing two-point attempt. 

"Both of these wins send a message to the CHSFL that we mean business," said Jemison after the thrilling victory. "Taking on two teams that were both projected to win against us and then beating them in overtime shows our grit and determination on the gridiron." 

"I think we made a big statement with that win," agreed Trapani.

Chaminade will return to Mineola for the first time in three weeks this upcoming Saturday as they host AA-I opponent St. Peter's from Staten Island. Kickoff from Gold Star Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m.