Last-second field goal leads American Heritage over Cardinal Gibbons in seesaw game
The rivalry between American Heritage and Cardinal Gibbons football teams has become one of those must-see games every year.
Senior kicker Julian Ramirez ensured a fantastic finish when he drilled a 42-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to lift Heritage to a 23-20 non-district victory at Cardinal Gibbons (4-1) on Friday.
The game-winning kick was the second game-winner for Ramirez this season. The first came in a victory over Chaminade-Madonna earlier this season. Ramirez finished with three field goals on the night.
“It was really nerve-racking,” said Ramirez about the kick. “The is what we work for, and we want to beat an archrival like Gibbons.”
The victory improved the Patriots (2-2) to 14-2 over the Chiefs in their past 16 meetings dating back to 2009.
“These games are always crazy at Gibbons,” said American Heritage coach Pat Surtain. “Seems like we’re up and they make the plays to cut it down. We make something happen and they come back.”
The Patriots’ final drive was without junior running back Mark Fletcher, who left the game with an ankle injury late in the game. Freshman Byron Louis stepped in and helped the Patriots get in field-goal position.
The loss also snapped the Chiefs’ nine-game winning streak, which began after a 23-17 loss to Heritage last season. Gibbons would go on the win the Class 4A state championship.
The second half saw both teams go back-and-forth with scoring drives that would lead to the game-winner.
After Heritage successfully converted its second field goal with 2:44 left in the third quarter for a 13-3 lead, Gibbons needed only one play to cut into the deficit.
Kamari Moulton ran off tackle for 68 yards untouched for the ensuing touchdown. Leading 13-10, the Patriots answered quickly.
Fletcher, who finished the night with 110 yards on 18 carries, scored on a 5-yard run with 11:46 left in the fourth quarter giving the Patriots a 20-10 lead. He set up his scoring run after a 35-yard gain to the 5.
Once again, the Chiefs wouldn’t fold, driving 80 yards on 11 plays as Moulton took a left side sweep on fourth down for a 1-yard touchdown, shrinking the deficit to 20-17.
Gibbons tied the score 20-20 on a field goal of 20 yards by Adrien Alfieri. The scoring play was set up by a sack and fumble recovery
Cardinal Gibbons salvaged the first half with a 21-yard field goal by Alfieri as time expired and cutting the Patriots’ lead to 10-3
The Chiefs struggled offensively for much of the opening half as the Heritage defense stymied Gibbons running game, holding it to 32 yards on nine carries.
The Patriots’ lone first-half touchdown was set up on an interception that put the ball at the Chiefs’ 19. Six plays later, Fletcher scored on a power run up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown for a 10-0 lead with 3:37 left in the opening half.
Heritage took a 3-0 lead with 9:28 left in the second quarter following a 25-yard field goal by Alon Kochav.
Junior wide receiver Brandon Innis started the game at quarterback for the Patriots following the injury to Blake Murphy who might be out until the playoffs. Innis was 9 of 16 for 69 yards, and rushed for 69 yards
The Patriots entered their game against Cardinal Gibbons with one victory and a pair of defeats against teams that have a combined 10-3 record.
