INDIANAPOLIS
Let the buildup begin.
The next seven days are guaranteed to prod opinions from even the most on-the-fence fans now that the two best teams in Class 4A are about to settle things on the field.
Roncalli, ranked second, finally rallied to shake free from visiting Brebeuf Jesuit at Bob Tully Field on Friday night, 21-14, to claim the 23rd sectional championship in its history.
By doing so, the Royals (11-1) get to host No. 1 New Palestine (12-0) in a regional next Friday. It will be the eighth postseason meeting between the teams and first since 2014.
Roncalli junior linebacker J.J. Prendergast produced the winning points by intercepting Braves quarterback Maverick Geske and running it back 19 yards untouched for a touchdown with 9:28 remaining in the fourth quarter.
It was the Royals’ only lead.
“I saw the quarterback’s shoulders turn toward the wide receiver,” Prendergast said. “I jumped it and it came right to me, and I took it to the house. My eyes were popping out of my head when I saw it.
“I could not believe it. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
Senior quarterback Arik Moyers delivered touchdown passes to Nolan Tunny of 50 and 53 yards, helping Roncalli rally after falling behind by scores of 7-0 and 14-7.
The latter throw tied the score at 14-all with 10:38 remaining.
The Royals’ overall performance the final two periods was a complete contrast from a first half in which the offense generated a total of 28 yards in 20 plays. And yet the defense managed to keep Roncalli in the game with Brebeuf ahead, 7-0, at intermission.
The first half’s longest play — by far — was a 32 pass over the middle from Geske to sophomore Taylor Clark that advanced the football to the Roncalli 5 midway through the first quarter. An offsides call on the Royals’ defense moved it to the 2, with senior back Jack Maiers then taking it around the right side and into the end zone with 5:31 remaining.
With 3:23 left in the second, Roncalli had its best field position of the half at the Braves’ 39. On fourth and half a yard at the 30, Brebeuf’s defense swarmed senior running back Luke Hansen for no gain — the perfect microcosm for the Royals’ offensive execution to that point.
Whatever first-year Royals coach Eric Quintana said to his players at halftime registered.
Hansen finished the game with 132 yards rushing on 31 carries. He gobbled up yards behind his talented offensive line in the waning minutes to seal the outcome.
All season long, the Royals have been a second-half team. This was no different.
“Kudos to Brebeuf and their coaching staff and their kids,” Quintana said. “They came out, they had a plan, they watched some film, it looks like, and they tried to mirror some things some guys had some success with us.
“Our guys came out and played electric, finished the game and showed toughness. That’s what we’ve talked about since we took over the job. How tough can you be? I’m extremely proud of our offense. I’m extremely proud of our defense. The guys fought really hard and won the game when it needed to be. It showed how tough this team is.”
