
Thursday night’s game between Buchholz and undefeated Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach) at Citizens Field was expected to be an offensive showcase between two playoff teams.
So of course, it was defense that ruled the day.
Buchholz stopped Cardinal Newman on downs inside the Bobcats’ 15-yard line with two minutes left and held on for a 14-7 over the Crusaders.
Cardinal Newman held the ball most of the game, but the Bobcats defense made the big plays when they needed to against the Crusaders. Buchholz (7-3) outgained Cardinal Newman but kept the Crusaders in the game with two turnovers inside the Cardinal Newman 20.
“Everyone thought this was going to be a 35-34 game, but it can be 14-7 sometimes,” Buchholz coach Mark Whittemore said. “You get two teams that have a chance to be really good playoff contenders, and there were a lot of kids that were playing hard out there.”
Buchholz, ranked No. 4 in 6A and 29th overall statewide by MaxPreps, went right down the field on the opening drive in under two minutes. Junior Justin Williams scored from 33 yards out for a 7-0 Bobcats lead.
After a Cardinal Newman punt, Buchholz went right down the field again behind big plays by junior wide receiver Keil McGriff. But an illegal shift wiped out a Williams touchdown run on first down, and on second and goal from the 7-yard line Buchholz fumbled the snap and Cardinal Newman recovered.
The rest of the half saw Cardinal Newman move the ball on the ground but unable to score. Buchholz’s Jay Giunta missed a 45-yard field goal try wide right late in the second period and the Bobcats went into halftime only up 7-0.
Cardinal Newman (7-1), ranked No. 4 in 1A and 22nd overall by MaxPreps, started the second half with a seven-minute drive, tying the game at 7-7 on an 18-yard touchdown run on fourth down by junior quarterback Jyron Hughley.
Buchholz answered right back, mostly on the ground. The Bobcats moved ahead 14-7 on the final play of the third quarter as Williams scored from three yards out.
Buchholz got the ball back after a Cardinal Newman punt and drove down inside the Crusaders 20. But junior quarterback Trace Johnson threw an interception at the Cardinal Newman 5-yard line.
“It should have been 21-7. I should have never elected to throw down there,” Whittemore said. “But you live and you learn. Luckily, we live and learn with a W.”
Buchholz’s defense came up with another big stop, sacking Hughley on fourth down, and ran out the clock for the win.
“They [Cardinal Newman] had a lot to prove, coming up here and playing a bigger school,” Whittemore said. “We had a lot to prove, playing a team from South Florida. These were two talented and gritty teams going at it tonight.”
Thursday, Oct. 31
Buchholz 14, Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach) 7
Cedar Creek Christian (Jacksonville) 36, St. Francis Catholic Academy 8 *
*SSAA Playoffs