Aquinas succumbs to late rally, falls to CBA in state semifinal

By PAUL GOTHAM

VESTAL, N.Y. — A goal-line stand early in the fourth quarter helped preserve the narrowest of leads.

A second such occurrence didn’t carry with it the same result, and Aquinas football saw its season end on a chilly Saturday night with a 21-14 loss to defending state champion Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) of Syracuse in the NYS Class AA semifinal from Dick Hoover Stadium on the campus of Vestal High School.

Junior running back Isaiah Coleman found teammate Steve Grosso in the end zone on third and goal for the eventual game winner with 1:26 remaining in the game.

“That’s a tough team,” Aquinas head coach Moe Jackson said of CBA. “They are tough. They’re big. Our guys fought as best as we could. We had a chance to win it. We left a few plays on the field that definitely would have changed the outcome of the game. That’s the way the game goes.”

Trailing 14-13, CBA started the winning drive at its own 29-yard line with 6:10 remaining in the game and used six plays including a Brayden Smith pass to Kieghlin Hicks that set up the Brothers at the Aquinas 16-yard line. Five plays later, Coleman took a direct snap and made one stride toward the pile before stopping and lofting a jump pass over the goal line into the hands of his teammate.

“It’s something that we have in the package,” CBA head coach Casey Brown said of the pass. “It was just the right time. Reading what the defense is doing and making sure it’s a safe and secure option.”

NYS Class AA: Third and goal from the one, Isaiah Coleman finds Steve Grosso in the end zone. 2-point conversion is good. CBA 21-14 with 1:15 remaining pic.twitter.com/XfQCrpBTbU

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 1, 2024

With the win (its 27th straight), CBA (13-0) clinched a spot in next Saturday’s championship game.

CBA came into the game averaging better than 46 points per game with an offense that gained 204-plus yards on the ground and 175.2 yards through the air. The Brothers didn’t need any of that to put the first points of the game on the scoreboard.

Darien Williams took the opening kickoff, a squib attempt, and sprinted untouched along the left sideline for an 80-yard touchdown. Only 10 seconds had elapsed in the game.

The Aquinas defense responded by holding CBA to three first downs (one via penalty) for the rest of the first half.

“We’ve had the best defense by far,” Jackson said. “Our defensive coaches do a helluva job. We all pitch in and help where we can. Our defense is as solid as they come.”

At the same time, though, Aquinas (10-3) struggled on the offensive side. It wasn’t until late in the second quarter that the Li’l Irish threatened. Trent Buttles hit Thomas Levans III with a 25-yard pass to give AQ the ball at CBA’s 25-yard line with :03 remaining in the quarter. CBA defensive back Zion Green’s shoestring tackle of Levans in the open field stopped a certain touchdown.

NYS Class AA: Trent Buttles to Thomas Levans sets up ⁦@AQ_football⁩ with first down at the CBA 25 with :03 seconds remaining in the first half. pic.twitter.com/EYtKSST9gE

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 1, 2024

It was an indicator of things to come.

Aquinas took the kickoff to start the third quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, senior running back Derrion Battle went 60 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

NYS Class AA: First play from scrimmage of the third quarter, Derrion Battle, 60 yards, house call. PAT is good. CBA 7 ⁦@AQ_football⁩ 7 pic.twitter.com/SGXT28ScKv

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 1, 2024

“We came out and hit them,” Jackson said. “The play was executed just like we drew it up in the locker room.”

On the next possession, CBA, after being held to a three-and-out, attempted a fake punt that Aquinas stopped.

Taking possession at the CBA 30-yard line, the Li’l Irish needed seven plays. Sophomore quarterback Trent Buttles scored on a keeper from two yards out. Aquinas had its first lead of the night at 14-7.

“I can’t get my mind off how proud of my guys I am,” Jackson said. “My team, they fought. I love those boys.”

CBA didn’t waste any time in offering a response.

Quentin Lewis scored on a 55-yard run on the next drive, but a failed point-after attempt kept the score at 14-13 Aquinas.

The teams traded possessions before an Adrian Weather interception gave CBA the ball at AQ’s 40-yard line with 1:32 left in the third quarter. After an early conversion on fourth down, Smith connected with Daunte Bachieye to give the Brothers the ball on the Aquinas two-yard line.

The Li’l Irish defend held and Joshua Ernst stopped Austin Ariola in the backfield on fourth down to give AQ possession.

NYS Class A: Goal-line stand! Joshua Ernst gets in the backfield to make the stop on fourth down. ⁦@AQ_football⁩ takes over with 11:13 to go leading 14-13. pic.twitter.com/Vu9DzMsMTN

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) December 1, 2024

“I tell you what, that’s a football game,” CBA’s Brown said. “You love to get the kids in those games and you really get to see what we’re about as a team. I’m really proud of our kids. That’s a really good football team on the other side.

“Aquinas did a really nice job in terms of packing the box. They wanted to stop the run and force the pass. Being this cold it’s hard to grip that football, and we dropped a couple.”

The Aquinas loss coupled with Brighton’s defeat on Saturday extended the drought for Section V Football teams which have not advanced to play at the JMA Wireless Dome (previously known as the Carrier Dome) since 2019. Aquinas (9-2 all-time in state semifinals) last won a state final four matchup in 2018 when the Li’l Irish went on to defeat New Rochelle 21-14 to claim the NYS Class AA title.

In the only other postseason meeting between the two schools, Aquinas took a 37-34 decision in 2001.

Having won the Class A championship in 2021, CBA will be looking to clinch its third title in four years when it takes the field against Section II champion Christian Brothers Academy of Albany. That matchup is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff next Saturday.

The temperature on Saturday hovered around 30 degrees with a light breeze.

OTHER SCORES FROM AROUND THE STATE

NYSPHSAA PLAYOFFS

Class AA

Semifinals

Albany CBA 56, Corning 7

Syracuse CBA 21, Aquinas Institute 14

Championship

Albany CBA vs. Syracuse CBA at JMA Wireless Dome, Saturday, 6:00 p.m.

Class A

Semifinals

Somers 35, Cornwall 0

Whitesboro 49, Brighton 21

Championship

Somers vs. Whitesboro at JMA Wireless Dome, Friday, 6:00 p.m.

Class B

Semifinals

Maine-Endwell 50, Health Sciences/GC 30

Port Jervis 47 Glens Falls 41

Championship

Port Jervis vs. Maine-Endwell at JMA Wireless Dome, Saturday, 3:00 p.m.

Class C

Semifinals

Salamanca 34, Chenango Forks 13

Schuylerville 24, Valhalla 7

Championship

Schuylerville vs. Salamanca at JMA Wireless Dome, Saturday, 12:00 p.m.

Class D

Semifinals

Burke Catholic 25, Greenwich 18

Clymer/Sherman/Panama 43, Dolgeville 14

Championship

Burke Catholic vs. Clymer/Sherman/Panama at JMA Wireless Dome, Friday, 3:00 p.m.

Eight-Man

Semifinals

Frankfort-Schuyler 52, Pembroke 26

Moravia 42, Trumansburg 40

Championship

Frankfort-Schuyler vs. Moravia at Moravia HS, Saturday, 3:00 p.m.

LONG ISLAND PLAYOFFS

Long Island Class I Championship

Massapequa 42, William Floyd 40

Long Island Class II Championship

Carey 37, Half Hollow Hills East 36

Long Island Class III Championship

Garden City 31, Sayville 28

Long Island Class IV Championship

Wantagh 29, Bayport-Blue Point 21

PSAL PLAYOFFS

Division 4A

Championship

Curtis vs. Erasmus Hall Campus at Midwood HS, Sunday, 1:00 p.m.

Division 3A

Championship

Brooklyn Tech 37, Fort Hamilton 36

Division 2A

Championship

Eagle Academy III 6, Frank Macchiarola 0

Division 1A

Championship

Jamaica vs. William E. Grady at Midwood HS, Sunday, 10:00 a.m. 

NEW YORK STATE CATHOLIC PLAYOFF

Championship

Iona Prep 42, Canisius 26