Gibbons Wins OT Thriller Over Heritage 31-30
By Rudy Rodriguez-Chomat
Sept. 28, 2002

It was the biggest game to date with major playoff implications. The winner more than likely would be facing Chaminade for the district championship later this season. The loser might not even make the playoffs unless given a wild card berth. The intensity would be boiling.

            It lived to form as Cardinal Gibbons won a 31-30 overtime thriller in “THE FURNACE” over American Heritage when the Redskins blocked the Patriots’ extra point attempt in overtime to improve to 4-0. And yes, it was more than a furnace as the temperature felt like 100 plus degrees.

            “It was real hot out here today,” Gibbons’ QB Andrew Martin said. “All of our players are ready to faint. This was a huge game for our district and puts us in the driver’s seat.”

            Early on, it looked as if Gibbons might blow Heritage out taking a quick 7-0 lead in the 1st after a botched handoff at the goal line that the Redskins’ Taylor Craig pounced on for the score.

            Heritage came right back down the field and tied it on a 42-yard run by Dilvory Edgecomb. Edgecomb finished with 135 yards on 19 carries and 3 TD’s to lead the way for the Patriots.

            But Gibbons countered with a 31-yard field goal after a 51-yard kickoff return by Justin Boruch put the Redskins in great field position.

            With 5 minutes to play in the 2nd quarter, the Redskins extended the lead to 17-7 on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Martin to Boruch.

            Having come back in two games this season, this was not unfamiliar territory for the Patriots, and they turned the tide on the Redskins early in the 2nd half.

            The opening drive led to a field goal. And shortly after an interception by Claude Labossiere, Labossiere ran the ball to the Gibbons 1-yard and nearly scored, but fumbled on the 1. Gibbons took possesion, but was Martin was sacked for a safety cutting the lead to 17-12 and the momentum began to shift.

            Heritage scored on it’s next possession on a 56-yard touchdown run by Edgecomb to take an 18-17 lead with 3:43 to go in the 3rd.

            They increased the lead to 24-17at the beginning of the 4th quarter, but a missed extra point proved to be quite costly as Gibbons tied the game with 5 minutes to play on a Martin touchdown pass to  Ryan Alfieri over Heritage DB Roderick Hobbs.

            “I just don’t think they panicked when we fell behind,” Gibbons head coach Mike Morrill said. “Martin kept his composure and made some nice throws to bring us back.”

            In the overtime, Gibbons scored on a second down pass to Dom Seta. Heritage scored on a 4-yard run by Labossiere, but the extra point was blocked and the Redskins began to celebrate.

            The heat certainly played a factor in this game as Gibbons’ starting tailback Sam Dorvil left early in the 3rd due to cramping under the conditions. JT Taylor also went down in the 4th, and Gibbons played without starting tight end, Greg Roberts.

            “”We had to cover up some injuries,” Morrill said. “We played without Dorvil, JT, Greg. It’s a testament to our kids and their work ethic. I am very proud of them”