Capone field goal sends GA past Episcopal, 9-7
Doom is generally assumed when a team's field goal kicker is the only player to tally on offense. As rain poured on Friday night, however, Vincent Capone's third - and game-winning field goal - split the uprights as time expired and gave the Patriots a 9-7 victory against host Episcopal Academy.
Doom is generally assumed when a team's field goal kicker is the only player to tally on offense.
As rain poured on Friday night, however, Vincent Capone's third - and game-winning field goal - split the uprights as time expired and gave the Patriots a 9-7 victory against host Episcopal Academy.
The thrilling 37-yard kick wasn't exactly pure once it left Capone's foot.
"Honestly it started a little right of the hash and then curved in," the senior somewhat accidental kicker said. "I was so nervous."
The nerves gave way quickly as did his lid. Capone sprinted toward the raucous GA students section with his helmet off with his jubilant teammates in tow.
Capone's other two field goals came from 32 and 22 yards out. He also had a field goal blocked in the first half.
The game-winner was set up by a 14-play, 60-yard drive orchestrated by senior quarterback Kyle McCloskey, who converted two fourth-down plays with his legs during the sequence.
The Patriots (6-1, 2-0) took over at their own 20-yard line with just less than three minutes remaining on the final drive.
The last play before the kick was a six-yard reception by Mike Reilly along the Germantown Academy sideline with one second remaining.
McCloskey finished with 122 yards passing on just 10-of-30 passing. Patriots receivers, however, dropped at least eight passes during the game, most of which came before the rain.
Defensively, Patrick McGettigan, Matt Gorman and Tanner Long were stout for the Patriots, who allowed only a touchdown on a fake punt. The Patriots also blocked an early field goal attempt.
Chris Rushton of the Churchmen (6-1, 1-1), scored on a 60-yard fake punt run with 1 minute, 37 seconds left in the third quarter.
Episcopal was led on the ground by DeeWil Barlee, who finished with 78 yards on 18 carries. Quarterback CJ McAnally also added 68 yards on 17 carries.
The Churchmen had defeated Malvern Prep on a last-second field goal the previous week.
Before Capone struck for glory, a presumably nervous Episcopal ball boy said, "Ah, man, we had to go through this last week!"
Capone was an all-Inter-Ac selection last season by league coaches. That's not bad for someone who wasn't exactly sold on football when he tried out as a freshman.
"I just walked on the football team because coach [Matt] Dence wanted me to play," Capone said. "I realized I hated hitting people and getting hit, so I just decided to start kicking."
Germantown Acad. 0 6 0 3 - 9
Episcopal Acad, 0 0 7 0 - 7
GA: Vincent Capone 32 FG
GA: Capone 22 FG
EA: Chris Rushton 60 run (Connor Ringwalt kick)
GA: Capone 37 FG
