Kevin Hogan, Gonzaga
File photo by Michael Starghill Jr.
Gonzaga junior Kenny Abod’s 28-yard field goal went through the uprights successfully as time expired to give his team the crucial victory, and one that they will not forget for a long time to come. The Eagles’ student section stormed the field in exuberance.
"The excitement is so amazing, I can’t even comprehend it right now, it’s just incredible," an elated Abod said after the game.
Gonzaga junior quarterback Kevin Hogan completed 18-of-21 passes for 248 yards and one touchdown, a 52-yard strike to James Valeiras to tie the game at 20 in the fourth quarter.
"It feels unbelievable," Hogan said following the victory. "This is our big rivalry, this is the game we want. We just wanted to come out and have a good game this year, and we did that perfectly."
Hogan was later named the game's Most Valuable Player.
"It’s a great win. It was a terrific game and both teams just played so hard," Gonzaga coach Joe Reyda said. "It’s just unfortunate somebody even has to come out on the losing side, but from a spectator’s point of view, it was a fun game to watch."
About the same time Abod was hitting the game-winning field goal, Bishop McNamara was rallying to beat St. Albans 38-27. McNamara senior receiver Brandon Coleman's late fourth-quarter touchdown reception put the Mustangs up with 1:47 left in the game, and an interception returned 75 yards for a touchdown by safety Nicholas Law iced the game and provided the final score. McNamara quarterback James Joseph was named the WCAC's Player of the Week after completing 23-of-28 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns.
"Sometime (James) is a hit-or-miss, but when it was time to win, he led us in the right direction," McNamara coach Bryce Bevill said. "Not a lot of quarterbacks have the wherewithal to come back after making mistakes. He showed what type of leader he is."
Conference play begins in the WCAC this weekend, with Gonzaga (2-1) hosting McNamara (3-0) in the weekend's most competitive game. In other league action, Paul VI (1-2) hosts DeMatha (3-0), Good Counsel (3-0) travels to O'Connell (3-0) and St. John's (2-1) plays at Archbishop Carroll (1-2).
Todd Bradley is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of DCSportsFan. Before starting the site, Bradley went to Gonzaga High School and Loyola University New Orleans. He wrote for The Times-Picayune during college and the Greensboro News & Record upon graduation.
