Alemany Overtaken Down Stretch, 28-17

Alemany High was about four minutes from sticking a feather in its helmet.

Unfortunately for the Indians, their go-ahead touchdown drive wasn’t the last score of the game.

St. Paul scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes to claim a 28-17 victory Friday night in a Del Rey League game before a capacity crowd at Alemany.

Alemany (6-3, 0-2 in league play) took its second lead, 17-14, with 4:10 remaining on a four-yard pass play on fourth and goal from Casey Clausen to Derek Goodman and a two-point conversion pass.

De’Andre Scott had 52 of his 108 yards rushing in the 77-yard, 15-play drive.

But quarterback Isaac Hernandez of St. Paul completed a 54-yard pass to Dontay Holloway on third and 10 at Alemany’s 22-yard line to keep the Swordsmen fans on their feet.

Three plays later, Jeff Corona hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Hernandez in the left corner of the end zone with 1:40 remaining, burning linebacker A.J. Anthony, who had no help. Anthony, a sophomore making his varsity debut for injured linebacker Paul Fusano, was on the losing end of two mismatches for touchdowns.

“We had a safety on the hash mark who has got to get over there and help [Anthony],” Coach Jim Bonds said. “He just didn’t get there.”

Alemany turned the ball over on downs at its own six-yard line after a lateral to Scott for a four-yard loss and three incomplete passes by Clausen, two of which were dropped by Goodman.

Hernandez scored two plays later on a one-yard keeper with 11 seconds left for 28-17 lead.

The Indians came out firing on all cylinders in the first quarter. On Alemany’s second play from scrimmage, Clausen hit Goodman on a short slant pattern. Goodman broke two tackles and another at the 10 for an 81-yard touchdown reception.

Alemany scored again on its second possession, capping a 62-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal by Garret Marxen for a 9-0 lead.

St. Paul (8-1, 2-0), ranked No. 4 in Division I, had drives of 60 and 52 on its first two possessions but didn’t score until Hernandez connected with Aurio O’Neill on a 34-yard pass play for a touchdown with 1:38 left in the half.

Alemany drove 66 yards in its ensuing possession but Scott was stopped for no gain at the one-yard line as time expired.

Clausen completed 10 of 25 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked five times and had several passes dropped.

“That’s part of the game,” said Clausen of the dropped passes. “Whether it’s high school, college or the NFL, everybody makes mistakes.

“Bottom line, they made plays and we didn’t. We’ll just go on and try to get better from here.”