Roman Catholic Ends 19-Year Drought, Grabs PCL Red Football Title
According to Roman Catholic junior quarterback Jahmil Hawkins, that trifecta explains why he and his teammates emerged as Philadelphia Catholic League football champions for the first time in nearly two decades. 31 at Franklin Field, Roman defeated St.
Joseph's Prep, 21-17, capturing the Red Division title with a perfect 5-0 league record and ending a championship drought that had lasted since 2007. The victory was particularly meaningful considering the opponent.
La Salle and the Prep had combined to win the previous 17 large-school division championships, with nine going to La Salle and eight to the Hawks. Roman hadn't defeated the Prep in a regular-season game since 1999.
This time, with a championship at stake, the Cahillites found a way. Prep junior quarterback Max Rogers connected with junior Jett Harrison for a 74-yard touchdown on the game's opening possession.
Roman answered when senior Eisa Nealy recovered a teammate's fumble on a handoff and returned it eight yards for a touchdown. Senior Jayden Alford later gave the Cahillites a 14-7 advantage with a 32-yard scoring run, but Rogers and Harrison connected again for a 44-yard tally, tying the game at 14.
Harrison finished with five receptions for 144 yards, but his second touchdown reception also made Catholic League history. It gave him 38 career touchdown catches, surpassing the previous league record of 37 set by his older brother, Marvin Harrison Jr., who starred at the Prep before continuing his career at Ohio State and turning professional.
But Roman's defense gradually made life more difficult for the Hawks, particularly after halftime. Harrison's production diminished, and the Prep struggled to generate consistent offense.
The teams remained locked in a tense battle until senior Colin Stoner converted a 22-yard field goal with 4:43 remaining, giving the Prep a 17-14 lead. With Roman trailing, the junior quarterback directed a determined final possession, connecting with Nealy for a crucial third-down conversion before the Cahillites advanced into scoring position.
On third-and-three from the Prep 15, Hawkins found wide-open junior Tre Montgomery for the go-ahead touchdown with 27 seconds remaining.