Holy Spirit falls in Non-Public 2 final

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The conference's logo is plastered everywhere at Rutgers Stadium, making it impossible to forget that the Big Ten has come to New Jersey.

And when Kareem Walker rushed past one of the those logos and into the end zone on the first play from scrimmage on Saturday,  it was similarly impossible to ignore that Holy Spirit was playing against a New Jersey kid whose future Saturdays will be spent in the Big Ten. Or the SEC. Or pretty much wherever he wants.

Holy Spirit’s surprising playoff run ended with a 42-0 loss to Walker and DePaul Catholic in a rain-soaked Non-Public Group 2 title game.

Walker, widely regarded as the Class of 2016's top prospect, bounced 57 yards up the right side on his first attempt and added two more touchdowns before the game was done. He finished with 106 yards on six carries.

It was the second straight title for DePaul (8-4). Holy Spirit (5-6) had won the previous three.

A running clock went into effect at the start of the second half. DePaul Catholic had 141 passing yards and two TDs at the time. Holy Spirit had zero.

It could have been even worse. DePaul was driving with 23 seconds remaining in the first half, but sophomore James Marcheski made a diving interception in the end zone to keep it a five-score game.

Nick Cordivari led Holy Spirit with 75 yards on 11 carries.