Allentown, Pa., Sophomore quarterback sensation A.J. Long connected on 19 of 22 passes for 391 yards and six touchdowns and ran for one TD as the Pius X Royals rolled, 55-20 over the Calvary Christian Cougars in an Eastern state playoff game at Salisbury Township High field.
The Royals came into the game averaging over 44 points and 500 yard a game and the Cougars relied on their stingy defense which allowed an average of only 8 points a game. It was apparent that Calvary Christian’s only chance was to keep the ball out of Long’s hands as much as possible by sustaining some time consuming offensive drives and limit the big play capability of the Royals.
Both teams combined for touchdowns on the first three series. On Pius first possession they needed only four plays and one minute with Long culminating the drive by running for a 46 yard touchdown. The Cougars struck back and generated a nine play four minute drive which ended in quarterback Doug Smith’s four yard touchdown. Long came right back and threw for TD’s on their next two possessions and it appeared that the track meet was on.
Things didn’t get much better for Calvary Christian when Smith got hurt on their next series. Down by two scores and needing a big play the Cougars recovered a fumbled punt by Boise Ross. They then sustained a six minute 11 play drive and Joshua Medvic made a diving catch in the end zone from the arm of backup QB Reilly Degen and the Cougars clawed to within 21-14 with a little over a minute left in the half.
The floodgates opened from that point on for Pius. Long hit on three passes then hit Petey Hernandez for a touchdown with only seconds remaining in the half. They scored on their next four possessions (including a blocked punt for a touchdown) in the second half and the game was well out of reach for Calvary.
The win gives Pius (12-1, District 11, A, All American Conference) a berth in the eastern semi final vs. District 4 winner Southern Columbia (most of whom were in attendance). District 1 champions Calvary Christian (A, Bicentennial League) ends their season with a very respectable 8-3 record and the District
Notes: Ross played sensational on both sides of the ball. He is very elusive in space. Smith came back in the second half and connected on a touchdown pass. He scored all three Cougar TD’s in the District One championship game last week vs. Delaware County Christian. Adonis Cannon (358 lbs) helped provide great protection for Long.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th T
Calvary Christian 7 7 6 0 20
Pius X 13 5 20 7 55
1st Quarter
Pius – A.J. Long 46 yard run –-Matt Camilletti kick- 10:42
CC – Doug Smith 4 yard run – PAT – 6:22
Pius – Boise Ross – 13 yard pass from A.J. Long – PAT – no good – 3:02
2nd Quarter
Pius- Boise Ross – 40 yard pass from A.J. Long – 2Pt- Long to Camilletti- 9:11
CC- Joshua Medvic- 10 yard pass from Reilly Degen- PAT- 1:23
Pius- Petey Hernandez- 20 yard pass from A.J. Long- Matt Camilletti kick- :20
3rd Quarter
Pius- Joey Dalessandro 39 yard pass from A.J. Long- Matt Camilletti kick- 9:12
Pius- Joey Dalessandro- 17 yard punt block return- PAT- no good- 7;07
CC- Samuel Heath 12 yard pass from Doug Smith- 2 pt conversion- no good- :15
Pius- Matt Camilletti 59 yard pass from A.J. Long- Camilletti kick- :00
4th Quarter
Pius- Joey Dalassandro 25 yard pass from A.J. Long- Matt Camilletti kick- 7:30
