On a night where Cathedral Prep honored one of the best teams in its storied football history, Friday's contest provided matching dramatics.
This game nearly made Cathedral Prep history for the wrong reason.
On a night where the Ramblers honored one of the best teams in their storied past, however, Friday’s District 10 high school football contest provided matching dramatics.
This win might not rank among the best in Prep history. But when the Ramblers wake up Saturday morning, their record will read 1-0.
That’s all that mattered after Friday’s quadruple overtime thriller against Erie High.
Erie sought history of its own while Prep honored its 2000 PIAA Class 4A championship team. The Royals had never beaten the Ramblers since Erie’s Public Schools consolidated in 2017.
That nearly changed on several occasions during this four-hour thriller at Dollinger Field.
Prep’s defense, however, turned in one more stop. And DaZarie Carson – the star of a mostly ugly game – had one more bruising run in him.
Carson’s touchdown rush in the fourth overtime period, his fourth TD of the night, sealed Prep’s 29-23 victory over Erie in a D-10 Region 7 classic. After a Royals comeback, a blocked extra point and seemingly endless penalties, Prep escaped.
“To me, it was one of the most classic football games you’re ever going to see,” Prep head coach Mike Mischler said. “I want (our players) to remember this moment and remember how they feel right now, because that’s what hard work with success at the end of it yields.”
Late-game drama
Carson anchored Prep’s offense all evening.
Both defensive lines limited their opponent’s rushing game, but Carson found success, running for scores of 5- and 2-yards during regulation. His third touchdown opened the third overtime period and, after Prep stuffed Erie to start the fourth, Carson capped the contest with a 3-yard plunge.
“I just felt complete, to be honest. I felt like I was on top of the world,” Carson said after the game-winning score. “But I couldn’t have done it without my line.”
Both sides kicked a field goal in the first overtime before each failed to score in the second. They then traded touchdowns in the third and, after Prep missed its extra point attempt, an Erie PAT could have won the game.
Prep blocked it.
“We had a lot of success moving the ball in the first half, but we just made so many first week mistakes,” Mischler said. “But (Erie) did as well, and each offense kept shooting itself in the foot.”
Royals surged late
Carson’s second touchdown gave Prep a 14-0, third quarter lead before Erie quarterback Paul Johnson suddenly found Davarri Mims for a 46-yard touchdown. The Royals’ defense held from there, allowing Johnson to tie the game on a 25-yard touchdown run with eight minutes left in regulation.
Carson rushed 28 times for 184 yards and four scores while Ramir Wallace ran six times for 65 yards. KJ Williams added two catches for 39 yards while Johnson’s 19 rushes for 90 yards led Erie.
The teams combined for 31 penalties worth 312 yards.
“(Carson) ran like a man there at the end. He was just dragging guys with him,” Mischler said. “I thought our offensive line played well but (Erie’s) defensive line and linebackers are just really good players.”
Historical, region implications
More than a dozen members of the 2000 Ramblers were recognized in a halftime ceremony. Prep also honored the legacy of the late Pat Czytuck, a 1970 alumnus, longtime line coach and Prep hall of famer.
Prep and Erie share Region 7 with McDowell, meaning a triumph over the Trojans on Oct. 3 would clinch the conference for the Ramblers.
McDowell won the region last year. Erie plays McDowell Sept. 12.
Contact Jeff Uveino at [email protected]. Follow him on X @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cathedral Prep football wins four overtime thriller over Erie High
Category: General Sports
