WEST PALM BEACH — Cardinal Newman senior Adam Balogoun-Ali blocked an extra point on the final play of regulation, senior running back Phoenix Donghia had a game-winning 6-yard touchdown run, and the host Crusaders delivered a thrilling 26-20 victory in overtime against West Boca Raton on homecoming in a highly anticipated matchup on Friday night.
West Boca (6-2) trailed 20-14 and took over at the Cardinal Newman 46-yard line with 2:53 left. The Bulls marched downfield and lined up at the Cardinal Newman 4-yard line with two seconds left after a timeout by the Crusaders. Junior quarterback Trey Moran threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to senior running back Javian Mallory to tie the score.
Balogoun-Ali, a standout linebacker and Auburn commit, displayed his athleticism with the blocked extra point on a leaping attempt to force overtime.
“I missed the sack on fourth down that would have ended the game,” Balogoun-Ali said. “As soon as that happened, I knew I had to get it back for my team. It means everything. It’s a huge confidence booster. Going into this season, we knew we had this type of potential. I think tonight we really did something, so I am proud of our guys.”
Balogoun-Ali, who also stepped up with a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter, has made an impact in his first season with the Crusaders.
“I watched the kid in Pop Warner do the same thing,” Cardinal Newman coach Jack Daniels said. “Everybody kind of thought he was going to block it. It’s a heck of a play. He is a heck of player. We’re lucky to have him.”
On the first play of overtime, Cardinal Newman senior William Hart stepped in front of a pass for an interception in the end zone.
“I really kind of was surprised that they threw it there,” Danels said. “Will cut right in front of it. He listens, he works his butt off every day in practice, and he had an incredible week of practice.”
Cardinal Newman (6-2) scored on their second play on offense in overtime. Donghia took the handoff and powered his way into the end zone for the 6-yard score.
“I give all my credit to my big guys up front,” Donghia said. “We had ups and downs, but we keep fighting and were resilient and we pushed through. I knew I was going to get in there. When I was at Benjamin, we lost to them by one point, so to come here and beat them felt so good.”
Cardinal Newman senior quarterback Jyron Hughley, a West Virginia commit, finished with 162 rushing yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
“I knew it was coming,” Hughley said. “They’re trying to focus too much on our running back, Phoenix. They were sending a lot of pressure. I used my legs to my advantage. This [win] ranks high for me because there has been a lot of talk about West Boca being ranked higher than us and they got a big powerhouse, but Coach Jack [Daniels] is building something special at Cardinal Newman, and I am happy to be a part of it and being able to take this team far. It means a lot to me knowing that my head coach trusts me to get the job done.”
Mallory, a Miami commit, rushed for 158 yards and had a touchdown run and catch in the loss. He finished with two catches for 15 yards.
The Bulls defense had previously allowed just 34 points through their first seven games.
“We just didn’t come out and play well right from the beginning,” West Boca coach Dylan Potts said. “I thought we struggled in all three [phases]. We showed grit. At the end of the day, I am disappointed overall. I thought we came out and played hard in the second half, but we just waited too long to turn it on. It was their night. I think they played a really excellent game, and we knew that. It’s a very well-coached team. I have a lot of respect for Coach Daniels, Coach Partridge and what they’re doing up here at Cardinal Newman. We knew we were going to be in a dogfight tonight, and we just did not come out and execute.”
Cardinal Newman failed to convert on fourth-and-8 at the Bulls 16-yard line on their second series on offense. The two teams were locked in a scoreless tie at the end of the first.
Donghia rushed for a 6-yard touchdown to give the Crusaders a 7-0 advantage with 6:02 left in the second quarter.
West Boca threw an incomplete pass on fourth down at the Crusaders 30-yard line late in the first half. The Crusaders had a 7-0 lead entering halftime.
“They want to run the ball down your throat,” Daniels said. “We had to stop the run and make them throw a little bit more probably than they wanted. We kind of controlled the first half with our offense and kept their offense off the field.”
Balogoun-Ali had a 33-yard interception return for a score to extend the lead to 13-0 with 9:16 left in the third quarter.
Mallory rushed for a 52-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 13-6 with 6:18 left in the third.
On the first play of the ensuing possession, Hughley raced up the middle for an 80-yard touchdown to increase the lead 20-6.
Moran rushed for a 2-yard touchdown with 15 seconds left in the third quarter. Moran tossed a two-point conversion pass to Mallory to cut the deficit to 20-14.
West Boca marched downfield later in the fourth. On fourth-and-8 at the Crusaders 24, Moran scrambled and was stopped short after a 5-yard gain to force a turnover on downs.
Moran fired a 13-yard pass to junior wide receiver Billy Clancy III and 11-yard pass to Mallory on the final drive in regulation to help set-up the game-tying score.
“We got to wear this one,” West Boca coach Dylan Potts said. “We have to move on from it and go win out and win a state championship.”
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