RallyNorth.net

Prep wins Catholic Conference opener

After a disappointing stretch in non-league games (3-4), the Eagles came up with their best effort of the season, downing Catholic Memorial on the road, 27-21, in their Catholic Conference opener.

Senior captain and tailback Derek Coppola led the way with 172 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner, on 20 carries. Coppola's decisive touchdown came on a 3-yard pass play from Scott Darby with 35 seconds left in the game, snapping a 21-all tie.

"That's No. 1 and we have three to go," Prep coach Jim O'Leary said, referring to the upcoming stretch of conference games. "It's a great win on the road."

St. John's started in promising fashion, grabbing a 21-7 lead in the first half. Coppola's 44-yard punt return set up his own 8-yard scoring run for a 7-0 lead. The Eagles made it 14-0, capping an 84-yard drive with Patrick Higgins taking it in from the 2-yard line.

Catholic Memorial cut it to 14-7, but St. John's stormed back and scored with 1:11 left in the half. Coppola went 53 yards up the left sideline, setting the stage for Brendon Felder's 5-yard touchdown run for the 21-7 lead.

The hosts racked up 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter before the Eagles squeaked it out in the final minute. Andrew McHugh, a junior fullback, complemented Higgins at that position, finishing with 70 yards in 12 carries.