Lonnie Rice and Bishop McDevitt rally for dramatic win over Cardinal O’Hara
Rice scored on an interception return and completed three passes in the late going to lift the visiting Lancers to a 12-7 victory over the stunned Lions.
Bishop McDevitt played the first "home" football program in history last Saturday afternoon at the grass field behind the Wyncote school, and the squad enjoyed a victory over Chester.
An emotional letdown was certainly possible leading into Friday night's Catholic League Blue Division opener at Cardinal O'Hara.
But junior quarterback and free safety Lonnie Rice, with his heroics in the game's final minutes, lifted the Lancers to a 12-7, come-from-behind victory.
The Lions appeared to be on the way to a taut win in a defensive battle. They put together an 18-play, 72-yard scoring drive in the third quarter to take a 7-0 advantage.
With 3 minutes left to play and the hosts trying run out the clock, Rice intercepted a pass across the middle and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. McDevitt's extra-point kick was blocked, leaving O'Hara (2-1) with a 7-6 edge.
"We were in man-to-man coverage," Rice said. "I was watching the quarterback's eyes the whole time, and he was only looking at one receiver. I was ready to make a play on the ball as soon as he threw it."
The Lancers (3-1) forced a three-and-out on the Lions' next possession and took over at the O'Hara 33-yard-line with just over a minute to play.
From there, Rice completed a 3-yard pass to tight end Lawrence Richardson and found halfback Joachim McElroy for gains of 14 and 13 yards. Jon-Luke Peaker's 3-yard run with 35 seconds to go proved to be the difference.
"He's a smart kid," Rice said of McElroy, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound sophomore. "He has a knack for finding that open spot and then making the catch."
Rice, a third-year starter at quarterback, connected on six of 10 throws for 94 yards.
Peaker, another rising sophomore, carried 19 times for 147 yards. It marked the 5-9, 170-pounder's fourth consecutive 100-yard game.
"He's a tough running back, doesn't go do easily," Rice said. "He's a strong kid. He's going to be special."
Rice, a 16-year-old from Lawncrest, competes in the sprints and throws the javelin in track and field. The 6-1, 195-pounder plans to rejoin the wrestling team after sitting out last season.
McDevitt's defense was spearheaded by linebacker Richard Cotton (14 tackles, with nine solos), linemen Tyrone Fowler, Nasire Griffin, and Sean Stanton, and back Zay Scott.
Bishop McDevitt 0 0 0 12 – 12
Cardinal O'Hara 0 0 7 0 – 7
CO: Chris Kirby 9 pass from Luke Sprague (Mike Levy kick)
BM: Lonnie Rice 35 interception return (kick blocked)
BM: Jon-Luke Peaker 3 run (pass failed)