RAVENSCROFT FOOTBALL
PHOTO BY BRANDON STATON
Ravenscroft senior Chris Struthers (56) and Quinn Billerman talk on
the sidelines during the Ravens' 14-7 win over Providence Day Friday night.
Ravens halt Chargers
with goal-line stand
When the postseason rolls around games often are decided by which team has that one play left.
And with the ball sitting on the Ravens' 1-yard line and 27 seconds remaining in Friday night's NCISAA Division I first-round match-up, the Ravenscroft football team's season came down to that play.
Although Providence Day School trailed 14-7, only four feet separated the Chargers from a game-tying touchdown. And with junior Josh Convington in the backfield, the odds certainly were stacked against the Ravens' defensive front — the running back had already rushed for 133 yards in the contest.
But the longest yard proved to be the 134th for Covington and the Chargers. In fact, it never came.
The Raven's defense answered the call, stopping Covington at the goal line on fourth down to escape with the win and advance to the next round of the playoffs.
"Give them credit," said Ravenscroft head coach Ned Gonet. "They're a good, capable team. They have some weapons. The have, obviously, a very potent running back and their quarterback is pretty good."
The late-game stop wasn't the only goal-line stand for the Ravens either. With seconds to go in the first half, Ravenscroft was in a similar situation. Leading by a touchdown, 7-0, the Ravens stood up Chargers quarterback Price Litton at the goal line — on a fourth-down attempt — as time expired on the half.
"It's tremendous," Gonet said. "I can't be more proud of the kids that put that goal line stand up at half time to keep them from scoring; then obviously at the end of the game.
"It was huge. Just think if they would've scored [before the half], the momentum would've swung their way."
Gonet said he stressed the importance of carrying that momentum into the second half — to sustain a drive and put the ball into the end zone.
The Ravens were obviously paying attention.
Ravenscroft stormed upfield to open the third quarter, capping a 69-yard, seven-play drive with a 26-yard touchdown run by junior running back Connor Gonet, extending his squad's lead to 14-0.
Coach Gonet said the offense did a good job of setting up the pass with the run. The Chargers were forced to pay so much attention to Connor Gonet it allowed the Ravens to open up things downfield.
The running back carried the ball 19 times, netting 122 yards and a rushing TD. He added three catches for 22 yards and had TD reception. He also completed his one pass attempt for 12 yards.
The Ravens' ground-game efficiency gave sophomore quarterback Quinn Billerman plenty of time in the pocket. And he made the most of it, completing 12 of his 14 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown.
"I thought Quinn did a good job of making some decisions there," Ned Gonet said. "Quinn showed a lot of moxie back there today, finding second receivers, not making bad decisions and playing for another play. I was proud of what he was able to do and make some big plays out there."
In the second quarter, Ravenscroft opened the game's scoring when Billerman hit Gonet on a 9-yard TD-pass.
Hartland Jones hauled in four catches for 38 yards, Shane Bird made three receptions for 46 and Jake Morin recorded on catch for 31 yards.
Defensively, Alex Spears made seven tackles, Bird tacked on six and Dan Land and Morin had four apiece.
Providence Day QB Litton Price rushed for 67 yards on 19 carries, and completed nine of 16 passes for 121 yards and an interception.
Ravenscroft advances to face the defending state champion Charlotte Christian School (8-2) next Friday.
