Division IV Final: Bishop’s 19, Mater Dei Catholic 16

Silver Pigskin Finalist Bulla Graft plunged in from 1 yard out on the Knights’ first possession of overtime, and Bishop’s came from behind to beat Mater Dei Catholic, 19-16, on Friday night to claim their first CIF title since 2010.

Mozes Mooney scored two second half touchdowns to help Bishop’s come from 10 points down and take a 3-point lead with 47 seconds remaining in the game. But Mater Dei drove to the Bishop’s 5-yard-line and Alex Golembiewski kicked a 22-yard field goal with no time remaining to tie the game at 13 and force overtime.

Mater Dei quarterback Chris Jones put the Crusaders on top on their first play from scrimmage when he shot through the line and scampered 68 yards for a 7-0 lead. Golembiewski boomed a 29-yard field goal to give Mater Dei a 10-0 lead going into halftime.

It looked as though that lead would hold up as both teams struggled to move the ball in the 3rd quarter. Mater Dei’s Quentin Frazier picked off a Griffin Seaman pass to thwart a Bishop’s scoring chance. Bulla Graft returned the favor by picking off Jones two plays later.

The game remained 10-0 into the 4th when Seaman hooked up with Mooney the first time for a 17-yard touchdown to pull Bishop’s within four. But the Knights missed the extra point, leaving the score 10-6 and ensuring Bishop’s would need another touchdown if they were to complete the comeback.

Mater Dei’s Kyle Moses appeared close to sealing the game for the Crusaders when he intercepted a Seaman pass late in the 4th quarter, but Mater Dei went three and out and had to punt the ball back to Bishop’s.

The Knights promptly drove to the Mater Dei 23-yard-line, and with 47 seconds remaining, Seaman hit Mooney in the left flat,and the freshman tip-toed down the sideline and just inside the pylon for the go-ahead touchdown.

The Crusaders couldn’t punch it in on their first possession of overtime, and Golembiewski kicked a short field goal to give Mater Dei a brief 3-point lead and set up Graft’s winning score.

The win capped an undefeated 13-0 season for the Knights. Mater Dei finished 7-6 after making the school’s first CIF final appearance since 2003, when they were known as Marian Catholic.