AHSAA 3RD ROUND: Catholic wins defensive battle to advance to 4A semis

By TIM GAYLE

At the beginning of the 2022 season, there were plenty of questions concerning Catholic’s defense.

With the graduation of both inside linebackers, TJ Dudley and Patrick Ryan, along with the loss of defensive linemen Javen and Jamarion Augustus and highly recruited secondary players Jourdan Thomas and Kylon Griffin, there were plenty of holes to fill on one of the state’s top defensive units.

Any remaining questions were answered on Friday when the Knights reverted to old-school, smash-mouth defense to subdue Handley 21-14 in the 4A quarterfinals.

“A great night, old-school football, a lot of rushing, a lot of great defense,” Catholic coach Kirk Johnson said. “It’s one of the first games where somebody had our offense in a flux, but we battled. Handley’s a really good football team and to put up 21 on them is good.

“Proud of this team. Nobody would have picked us to be here at this time last year. We graduated a lot of guys. These (defensive) guys play with a chip on their shoulder, led by Jaden Jones and Zach Underwood.”  

Catholic (13-0) will play region rival Andalusia (12-1) next Friday at Cramton Bowl at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Super 7 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Much like last year’s semifinal loss to Montgomery Academy, the Knights looked good early but offensive struggles in the second half left the door ajar for an upset. Unlike last year’s loss, the Knights turned up the defensive pressure after allowing an early touchdown to the Tigers and kept Handley’s offense in check for most of the remaining three quarters.

“Our defense works hard,” said Catholic linebacker Jaden Jones, who had a team-leading 13 tackles, including three for loss. “We key on making plays, getting stops and doing our job. If we do our job, we win ballgames.”

But most of the time, the offense is scoring points. The Knights have accounted for a school-record 674 points this season, but were held to a season low by the Tigers. When Handley tailback Jamarius Haynes broke free on a 96-yard run in the final two minutes of the first half to trim the Catholic lead to 16-14, every possession was magnified in terms of importance.

“I love it,” Jones said. “When the offense is not having their day, it’s our turn. We make a stop, we win.”

That time would come with five minutes left when the Tigers, trailing 19-14, threatened to take the lead. Catholic held its ground and Cannon Kyles’ fourth-down pass in the end zone was broken up by the Knights.

 Handley (11-2) would get one more shot after a Gabe Russo punt was downed at the Handley 1-yard with 52 seconds left, but Kyles was sacked by KJ Washington with 42 seconds left for a safety. Catholic recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

“We always score, we don’t get three and outs, so of course that scared me but I’ve got faith in my defense,” Catholic quarterback Caleb McCreary said. “Nobody else had faith in them at the beginning of the season, but I trust them.”

McCreary’s 21-yard run gave the Knights their first touchdown and answered an early touchdown run by Haynes to tie the game at 7-7. A snap over Kyles’ head ended up in the end zone, where Underwood’s tackle for a safety gave the Knights a 9-7 lead.

Underwood would finish with nine tackles, including three sacks and four tackles for loss.

“That was big,” Jones said. “Me and Zach argue a lot about who’s the best player on the defense but tonight we both balled out together as brothers.”

 On the ensuing possession, McCreary hit Luke Harkless with a 10-year touchdown pass that appeared to put Catholic in control, but the stunning run by Haynes in the final two minutes of the first half left Catholic clinging to the lead.

It would remain that way for the remainder of the game, with the only points coming on a 35-yard field goal by Russo and the sack for a safety by Washington, who had eight tackles, including three for loss.

“They’re a great, well-coached team,” McCreary said. “We came out hot but when great teams go against each other, it’s football. Whoever wants it more. And I feel like our team put their head down and wanted it more.”