St. Joe’s, Montvale 44 Paramus Catholic 19
September 21, 2024
St. Joe’s (Montvale) was led by quarterback Lamar Best with five touchdown runs and one pass as the Green Knights beat Paramus Catholic, 44-19, in a chippy game that was marred with many penalties.
First Quarter: Joe’s looked ready on their first two plays when Best connected with Jovon Williams for 18 yards and John Forster ran 12 yards, setting themselves up on the PC 33. But the drive stalled and they were forced to punt. Two Xavier Williams runs gave PC a first down on their 46 and his 19-yard run advanced the ball to the 15. They were also forced to punt as they moved back between losses and penalties. Joe’s started on their 24 and picked up two first downs, which set up an amazing 46-yard touchdown run by Best. He rolled left, weaved his way through traffic, broke through, and went down the middle of the field. PC punted on their next possession and the snap went into the end zone, forcing the punter to kick the ball out of the end zone for a safety and a 9-0 Joe’s lead two plays into the second quarter.
Second Quarter: The ensuing kick gave Joe’s the ball on the PC 43. A 24-yard run by Nate Bailey brought the ball to the 6-yard line for a first-and-goal and Best broke through the line two plays later for a 2-yard score. With two minutes left in the half, a mishandled punt snap by Joe’s gave Paramus Catholic the ball on the Joe’s 38. Williams ran for 11 yards to the 27 and on fourth down, Crew Colon found Jordan Moreta for 14 yards and a first down on the 11. But incomplete passes and a fourth down sack by Vin Ferrara after pressure by AJ Revella ended PC’s chance for a score before the half.
Third Quarter: Paramus Catholic came out with the ball and moved down the field, getting on the board when Colon went through the line for a 3-yard touchdown. Joe’s returned the favor when Best found an open Brady Shust down the middle for a 40-yard touchdown. The Green Knights had the ball back and needed only one play when Best went down the right sideline before breaking to the middle for a 41-yard score. The onside kick was next as kicker Sal Salafia recovered his kick on the PC 49. Best found Bailey for 28 yards to the 21 and Mekhi Rossignol for 14 to the 7 before Best scored from one yard out for a 37-6 lead.
Fourth Quarter: PC drove down the field in nine plays, scoring on a jet sweep by Nehki Martin to the left for 5 yards. Best added a touchdown on a 4-yard run and PC closed things on a Marco Green-to-AJ Lopez touchdown pass of 10 yards.
Comments: Best had a phenomenal game with his five touchdowns. He rushed for 110 yards on five carries and 8-11-119 and a touchdown. His 46 and 41-yard touchdown runs electrified the crowd. The defense stepped up when needed with Vin Ferrara enjoying a big game up front.
Paramus Catholic could have made it interesting had they scored before the half, but came up short. It hurt more when they came out with the ball in the second half and scored. The Paladins need to shake things off and play DePaul on Friday night – part of a four-game gauntlet that began today and includes St. Thomas Aquinas and Bergen Catholic.