Late rally can't stop Villa Angela-St. Joseph's victory over DeSales

Villa Angela-St. Joseph wide receiver Teon Brasmon hand-fighting with DeSales defensive back Kaleb Johnson early in the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – On Friday night of week four, an anticipated high school football game featured Northwestern commit RJ Day and Louisville commit D’Angelo White at Gutbrod Field.

Despite the lopsided records, it will be a game to remember.

In yet another tightly contested game, the Vikings managed to clinch a 20-17 win against Columbus St. Francis DeSales, continuing the trend of close games that has characterized their season. A two-point loss to Nordonia and a 3-point overtime loss to Sandusky Perkins. 

"A lot of people wanna win, but not enough refuse to lose. We have to find the guys that refuse to lose, and today I think that happened. Our kids refuse to lose," said Rotsky. 

Villa Angela-St. Joseph managed to control the first half by picking off RJ Day Jr. a few times, returning a punt 98 yards and finding the end zone a couple of times. 

During the first half, quarterback Julian Harris managed the game very well as the defense gave them some opportunities to capitalize on before things got tricky. "We just really wanted to finish; all week we worked on finishing, because last game we didn't finish. This week we worked on finishing, and that's what got us the win," said Harris. 

It was a tale of two halves as Day Jr. put the team on his back and almost had an upset late in the game. He ran the ball primarily in the half and almost pulled off late-game heroics after scrambling, then found tight end Josh Elgin downfield with 1:15 left in the game to put them in good field position. But on a fourth-down completion that was ruled short, it gave the ball back to Villa Angela-St. Joseph. 

Dax Middleton (3) reaches the end zone after catching the pass from RJ Day Jr. in the second quarter. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

When asked about that play, Coach Rotsky responded candidly, "I can't share it on film," he elaborated. "We left a lot of points on the board." 

Game Breakdown

First quarter

DeSales wins the toss and elects to receive first. RJ Day gets the first shot at scoring, but he throws an interception on the second play of the game to Jerry Black Jr.

Vikings receive the ball on the 30-yard line and go for it on 4th and 7 after an overthrown pass from Julian Harris to Teon Brasman. Ronnie Taylor Jr. runs it up, and Julian Harris keeps it for a 1-yard touchdown with 8:58 remaining in the first quarter.

Julian Harris (4) celebrates with teammate Antonio Hodges after his 1-yard running score in the first quarter. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Day Jr. goes downfield on this possession, hitting Dax Middleton over the middle; then he fumbled the ball for a loss, then settled for a 34-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Bangert to trail 3-6 with 5:51 left.

VASJ gets right after as Jamir Martemus returns the punt for 98 yards and a touchdown, taking the lead 13-3.

DeSales has not put together a completed drive with 2:31 left as Day Jr. throws his second interception of the game, this one to Braylon Boyd with 2:10 remaining. VASJ 13, DeSales 3.

Second quarter

DeSales' offense has stalled and results in a punt with 8:33 remaining; DeAngelo White gets his first reception with just over five minutes left in the quarter.

Both offenses have hit a wall, as both teams have punted. C.J. Wells catches a long pass from RJ Day for 36 yards to put them in Vikings territory with 1:47 left. DeSales gets on the board with 1:26 remaining as Day Jr. finds Dax Middleton over the shoulder for the receiving touchdown. Still trailing 10-13.

Louisville commit D'Angelo White gains yardage during the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

VASJ fumble with 19 seconds remaining by Ronnie Taylor Jr. that ends the quarter. VASJ 13, DeSales 10.

Third quarter

Two big penalties negate two big rushing gains. Harris Jr. passes to Jamir Martemus, wide open downfield, and drops the pass on a 4th-down play with just over 10 minutes.

After a solid drive, Julian Harris gets picked off on a 4th-and-5 call by Kaleb Johnson at 4:38. RJ Day Jr. runs a keeper for good yardage and is pushed well outside the boundary by Braylon Boyd.

Penalties continue to plague the Stallions. But Day Jr. finds Dax Middleton over the middle for a 5-yard touchdown and the lead. DeSales 17, VASJ 13

Fourth quarter

Vikings answer with a drive that led to a 37-yard touchdown from Julian Harris to Leontae Wright to regain the lead, 20-17, after a successful PAT. 

Day Jr's last possession came up short, and the Vikings just ran out the clock. FINAL: Villa Angela-St. Joe 20, DeSales 17. 

The win puts the Vikings at 2-2 on the season as they host Garfield Heights in week 5. DeSales takes its first loss of the season and will host River Rouge (MI) next.