MIDDLETOWN – The dream of winning the state championship game in Syracuse was once again out of reach for Christian Brothers Academy of Albany.
On Saturday evening, CBA’s comeback attempt fell just short against Carmel, the Section 1 champions, who defeated them 35-27 in the NYSPHSAA Class AA East semifinals.
“We knew it would be a tough and long game, but we were ready to play for four quarters,” said CBA player Donald Jones. “Unfortunately, we made some mistakes early on that may have cost us the game, but we fought hard until the end.”
The game started off with an interception by Carmel’s Liam Forster, who returned the ball 42 yards for a touchdown. However, CBA responded quickly with a 38-yard pass from quarterback Jake Iacobaccio to Jones, followed by an 8-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Guzi, tying the game 7-7.
But that tie didn’t last long as Carmel’s Tristan Werlau returned the ensuing kickoff for an 85-yard touchdown. In the second quarter, Werlau added a 13-yard rushing touchdown, giving Carmel a 21-7 lead.
CBA fought back with a 63-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Archie Jones to Aidan Good, bringing the score to 21-13. Jones, a sophomore, took over for Iacobaccio, who was dealing with a wrist injury.
“Our starting quarterback has been battling injuries for the past few weeks,” said CBA coach Bob Burns. ”He’s a warrior and we’re proud of him for pushing through. We limit his practice time and just hope he’s fully healthy for game nights. But he hasn’t been at 100% since our playoff game against Shaker.”
Although Jones made an impressive debut, leading the team to a touchdown, CBA was unable to score for the rest of the first half.
In the third quarter, Carmel’s Christian Nunez scored on a 1-yard run, but CBA stayed in the game with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Lorenzo Lanni.
In the final quarter, Carmel extended their lead with a 6-yard touchdown run from Leo Venables, but CBA continued to fight back. With only 3:33 left on the clock, Jones scored another touchdown on a 10-yard run, making it a one-possession game at 35-27.
Instead of attempting an onside kick, CBA pinned Carmel at their own 15-yard line with two timeouts remaining. But Carmel was able to secure the first downs they needed to hold onto their lead and secure the win.
“It’s a huge accomplishment to make it this far in the season and be one of the top four teams,” said Jones. “Just playing in this atmosphere shows how difficult it is to reach this level.”
“I’m incredibly proud of my team and the way they fought through adversity,” he added.
Despite the loss, CBA’s coach Burns praised the team for their resilience and mentioned the injuries they were dealing with, including Iacobaccio’s wrist injury and Jake Marra’s broken wrist.
“Jake Marra will need surgery for his wrist, and I believe Jake Iacobaccio may have a broken bone in his throwing hand,” said Burns. “But at this point in the season, injuries are expected and we have to push through.”
The loss also marked the end of Donald Jones’ high school football career. Jones, a senior, has been a key player for CBA for the past few years and was a vital part of the team’s success.
“Donald is more than just a football player for CBA, he lives and breathes the sport,” said Burns. “Since I’ve been here, he’s made a huge impact on our program and set a great example for his teammates. He’s truly a special player.”
Reflecting on his time with CBA football, Jones expressed his gratitude to his coach and the team.
“Coach Burns and his leadership have transformed the CBA football program. It’s not just something we do, it’s a way of life,” said Jones. “I’m thankful I got to play with this team and score touchdowns with my brother by my side.”
Carmel 14 7 7 7 – 35
CBA 7 6 7 7 – 27
Carmel – Forster 42 interception return (Navidad kick)
CBA – Guzi 8 from Iacobaccio (Gialanella kick)
Carmel – Werlau 85 kickoff return (Navidad kick)
Carmel – Werlau 13 run (Navidad kick)
CBA – Good 63 from A. Jones (kick failed)
Carmel – Nunez 1 run (Navidad kick)
CBA – Lanni 24 from A. Jones (Gialanella kick)
Carmel – Venables 6 run (Navidad kick)
CBA – A. Jones 10 run (Gialanella kick)