By Mukala Kabongo
NEFJ Correspondent

WEST ROXBURY — Cardinal Hayes looked dead in the water in the first half but a muffed punt swung the momentum of this game and the 2023 state champs from New York overcame a 14-0 hole to escape with the 36-29 victory.

The first half is one that Cardinal Hayes would like to forget, the offense was not moving the ball and as coach C.J. O’Neil put it, they did not look like themselves out there to begin the game.

“We weren’t playing Cardinal Hayes Football,” said O’Neil.

Catholic Memorial got things going as senior running back Mehki Dodd carried about five defenders into the end zone to put the Knights up 7-0.

The Knights defense started off hot with their front seven constantly in the backfield stuffing the run and stopping any momentum Cardinal Hayes had.

On fourth down with Cardinal Hayes threatening to score, the Knights defense came up with the sack on quarterback Rich Belin.

On the ensuing possession, Knights quarterback Kise Flannery found Isaiah SImmons for a first down in Cardinal Hayes territory. A few plays later Flannery connected with Gavin Brown in the back of the end zone to make it a 14-0 game.

“Catholic Memorial is a tough, hard-nosed football team that’s gonna bring it to you and they brought it to us,” said O’Neil.

Cardinal Hayes still could not get any momentum going on offense, the Knights seemed poised to get more points before the half but Cardinal Hayes finally got the break they needed on a muffed punt by the Knights that put the ball at the 1-yard line.

Quarterback Rich Belin found the end zone right before the half to cut the deficit to 14-7 and just like that Cardinal Hayes found its confidence.

“I think that let our team know that we’re here and we can do this,” said Belin.

“We needed a little luck,” added O’Neil.

The second half would turn into a back and forth affair and Belin showed off his arm talent and his elusiveness.

Belin found Ken-G Burnham for a short pass and Burnham would do the rest, turning a short pass into a 20-yard touchdown reception to tie things up at 14.

“Ken-G is the toughest kid around, that’s what I’ll say about him,” said O’Neil.

Cardinal Hayes would strike again with a 78-yard pick six by defensive back Tyrone Smith that gave the Knights their first lead of the game at 21-14

“Tyrone was definitely our momentum swing play,” said Belin. “He’s one of the smartest players on the team so him being around the ball wasn’t a surprise.”

The lead would be short lived, on the ensuing possession, the Knights marched right down the field and once again Mehki Dodd found a clear path to the end zone for his second touchdown of the game. Chris Sanchez converted the two point conversion to give the Knights back the 22-21 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Belin once again showed off his elusiveness as he avoided a sack and found Burnham in the end zone that gave Cardinal Hayes back the lead at 29-22.

With Catholic Memorial threatening to score, Cardinal Hayes defense made their biggest play of the game on 4th down when they stuffed Caleb Garrity on a short pass.

“We got knocked down and the measure of a man is how you get back up and I’m proud of my kids, they got back up.” said O’Neil.

Belin and the Cardinals offense capitalized on the turnover on downs with a long sustained drive that ended with a third rushing touchdown from Belin to make a 36-22 game. The Cardinals dynamic quarterback finished the day with two touchdown passes and three rushing touchdowns.