Don Bosco rallies past Byrnes, avenges last year’s heartbreak by Greg Tartaglia of The Record
RAMSEY — Don Bosco showed that turnabout is fair play.
One year after giving away a 21-7 fourth-quarter lead in its season opener at James F. Byrnes (S.C.), the Ironmen staged a 19-point fourth quarter to top the Rebels, 22-17, Friday night at Granatell Stadium.
Jahquill Batts threw the winning touchdown to Jalen Berger, a 38-yarder with 4:24 left. The Don Bosco defense then stopped Byrnes quarterback BJ Peake at the five-yard line as time expired.
“It feels great to get back at them,” Berger said. “We were supposed to win that game last year, but we put that behind us.”
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What it means
For Don Bosco, the result means the end of a five-game overall losing streak and a six-game skid against out-of-state opponents. Though the Ironmen were far from perfect, they held on to a fourth-quarter lead, which was a problem spot last season.
Berger, Batts and coach Mike Teel all mentioned how important “finishing” was, and their team put words into action.
Key play
There were two – an interception that was, and another that wasn’t. Byrnes dropped a potential INT on second-and-goal that kept a Don Bosco drive alive. Two plays later, Guy Fava hit a 24-yard field goal to pull the Ironmen within 17-15 with 5:10 to go.
On the second play of the Rebels’ ensuing drive, Ironman safety Jason Haber made his second pick of the night. The go-ahead touchdown happened on the next play.
By the numbers
► Don Bosco (1-0) improved to 28-10 against out-of-state opponents since 2003. Its first win over a South Carolina school means it has beaten teams from 10 different states, plus one from Washington, D.C.
► Byrnes (2-1) had outscored its first two opponents by an average of 40-24. The Duncan, S.C. squad got all 17 of its points in the third quarter on Friday.
Game balls
► Berger, a running back, carried 12 times for 24 yards but really got rolling when used at receiver in the second half. He caught five passes for 73 yards and the decisive TD.
► Batts was one of three quarterbacks the Ironmen used. He shook off a rocky start to complete eight of his final 14 passes, going 12-of-24 for 155 yards.
► Besides Haber (two INT), linebacker Colin Ramos played well with two passes defensed.
They said it
“We talked about finishing since the day we ended last year, because obviously, that’s not what we did last year. And the whole offseason, the whole program was built on finishing… and when you work it, and you live it, and you preach it, it manifests, and that’s pretty fun to watch.” – Teel
Up next
► Don Bosco hosts Gonzaga (D.C.) on Sept. 8
► Byrnes returns to South Carolina to face Spartanburg on Sept. 14