Cadets Headed to State Playoffs
There may have been a scenario where Benedictine snuck into the playoffs if the Cadets had lost to New Hampstead on Thursday night, but Cadets Head Coach Danny Britt had his squad enter the game with a win-or-go-home approach to the Region 1-4A contest.
Benedictine dominated in all three phases as the Cadets beat New Hampstead 44-22 at Memorial Stadium to clinch a No. 3 seed into the Class 4A playoffs, which start on Nov. 15.
It was the final regular season game for BC, which improved to 5-4 on the season and 3-2 in region play. The Phoenix fell to 3-6 and 1-3.
BC played an excellent all-around game. Sophomore Stanley Smart Jr. ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. He kept moving the chains and killing the clock — which was important going up against New Hampstead's strong passing game behind star quarterback Ra'Shawn Truell and his favorite target — Kamari Maxwell.
Sophomore quarterback Omari Burse had a strong showing for BC in his third start. Burse was 15 of 22 passing for 184 yards with a 24-yard scoring strike to Josh Washington, while also scoring on a quarterback sneak.
Special teams were also on point for the Cadets. Bubba Frazier had a punt return of 45 yards to set up a short field and Connor Ferguson was 3 for 3 on his field goals while converting all five of his PATs. His 52-yard field goal in the third quarter was a new school record, breaking his own mark of 50 yards set in a win over Burke County earlier in the year, BC kicking coach Pat Parker said.
"I've been hitting from that distance all season in practice, and I made really good contact with that one," Ferguson said. "As soon as I saw it was between the uprights — I knew it was good and started celebrating a little early. I just try to stay focused and keep my notes in my head about keeping my head down and all the other steps I take. It was a great snap by John (Lilly) and another great hold by Robert Leonard. We've been working on it all year."
Sophomore quarterback Omari Burse had a strong showing for BC in his third start. Burse was 15 of 22 passing for 184 yards with a 24-yard scoring strike to Josh Washington, while also scoring on a quarterback sneak.
"Omari is a great player," said Washington, the junior with 11 receptions for 143 yards on the night. "When Stephen got hurt, we knew Omari had the talent to come in and get the job done. And he's getting better with every practice and every game. Now we're back in the playoffs. There are a lot of people that might doubt us, but everyone in our locker room believes in ourselves. We're ready to make a playoff run."
Truell threw for 533 yards last year against BC as the Cadets beat the Phoenix 39-31, and the senior set a state record for passing yards in a game this year with 635 yards in a loss to Perry. He had another impressive night Thursday as he completed 17 of 32 passes for 292 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
But BC kept the pressure on Truell with sacks from Kam Cody, John Lilly and Colby Brennan. Wyatt Estabrook and Micah Williams had the interceptions. The Cadets held the Phoenix to 34 yards rushing. Special teams were also on point for the Cadets. Bubba Frazier had a punt return of 45 yards to set up a short field and Connor Ferguson was 3 for 3 on his field goals while converting all five of his PATs. His 52-yard field goal in the third quarter was a new school record, breaking his own mark of 50 yards set in a win over Burke County earlier in the year, BC kicking coach Pat Parker said.
"I've been hitting from that distance all season in practice, and I made really good contact with that one," Ferguson said. "As soon as I saw it was between the uprights — I knew it was good and started celebrating a little early. I just try to stay focused and keep my notes in my head about keeping my head down and all the other steps I take. It was a great snap by John (Lilly) and another great hold by Robert Leonard. We've been working on it all year."
