Brother Rice took advantage of three third-quarter mistakes by host Providence Catholic on Friday to gain a two-touchdown lead but needed two overtimes to win 38-31.
One week after getting knocked out of the rankings by Mount Carmel, the Crusaders avoided the Chicago Catholic Blue basement in a game between the only teams without a conference win, but one that resembled a battle for the lead.
“Both of us had our backs against the wall,” Brother Rice coach Steve Nye said. “Every game in the Blue is a battle. It’s all great teams.”
Martez Walker scored on a 2-yard run in the second overtime to cap a 210-yard, three-touchdown performance. Cody Stull intercepted a pass on second down to seal it for the Crusaders.
Neither team scored in the first OT. Providence was stopped on fourth-and-goal from the 1, and Brother Rice missed a 20-yard field goal.
Providence scored on consecutive possessions to force overtime. Chris Salazar threw a 17-yard touchdown pass, and Andrew Hoffmeister scored a tying 8-yard run with 3:45 left.
“There’s no doubt they had us on our heels, they had all the momentum,” Nye said. “I just (said) we have to stop them.”
The Celtics fumbled away the second-half kickoff at the 25, and Rich Mayer scored from the 3 for Brother Rice six plays later to turn around a 17-14 halftime deficit.
The Crusaders (4-2, 1-2) then kicked a field goal after a shanked 13-yard punt, and Stull made an interception and 25-yard return on the first play of the fourth quarter. Andrew Walker had a 9-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive to make it 31-17 with 9:08 left. That was one play after Brother Rice converted a third-and-13.
Salazar returned at quarterback for Providence after missing last week’s loss to St. Rita with a concussion. The Celtics (3-3, 0-3) had five interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, in that loss.
Player of the game: Martez Walker, Brother Rice, 210 rushing yards, 3 TDs.
Key performers: Brother Rice — Cody Stull, 2 interceptions. Providence — Chris Salazar, 253 passing yards.
