Classic comeback for Camden Catholic

They played as if they were in the backyard.

So what if 3,000 people were looking over the fence?

"I knew from the first play," Pennsauken coach Clint Tabb said. "I was like, 'Oh. OK. One of those games, huh?' "

Yeah, one of those games. An instant classic. A game with 3,000-plus people in attendance and 10 times that many out there Saturday morning who wish they had been there.

Camden Catholic rallied with 22 points in the fourth quarter behind quarterback Pete Galiano and running back Jarred Alwan for a 42-35 victory over Pennsauken in a battle of unbeatens Friday night at Shamrock Field.

It was the place to be.

"Back-and-forth game," said Alwan, the burly junior who scored the winning touchdown with 26.8 seconds showing on the clock. "We never quit. Irish football never quits."

It was a wild game, filled with big plays, momentum swings, and twists and turns.

It wasn't over until Pennsauken quarterback Manny Cortez's final pass of a remarkable performance fell in the end zone, just out of reach of the Indians' sensational wide receiver, Amar Williams.

Cortez and Williams were all over the field.

But so were Galiano and Alwan, and a bunch of other players from both sides. It was like a game in the street, or the playground, or somebody's backyard.

That's not to suggest there wasn't discipline or organization or coaching or hitting. There was plenty of all four.

But mostly, this showdown between No. 2 Pennsauken (5-1) and No. 9 Camden Catholic (6-0) was a showcase for the athletes.

It was big play after big play on a cool, clear night in front of a crowd that filled both bleachers and stood three- and four-deep around the fence - from end zone to end zone.

What's the best way to start a big game?

Big play.

Or four.

Camden Catholic scored on its first play from scrimmage. Pennsauken scored on its first, and third, and fourth.

Galiano, the Irish playmaking quarterback, was 7 for 12 for 230 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 17 times for 107 yards and a TD.

Cortez was 15 for 26 for 246 yards and four touchdowns. He ran 15 times for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Camden Catholic's Tom Wescott caught three passes for 125 yards and two TDs.

Williams caught seven passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, and returned a kickoff 68 yards when the score was tied, 35-35, with fewer than three minutes on the clock.

Camden Catholic held Pennsauken at the 15, although the Indians caught a bad break when Cortez tossed what would have been his fifth touchdown of the game and the ball was dropped in the end zone.

Galiano led the Irish on the field, hitting Alwan for 55 yards on a wheel route. The Irish used their ground game to finish the drive.

"Give them credit," Tabb said of Camden Catholic. "They never quit."

Pennsauken   22 0 7 6 - 35

Camden Catholic   7 13 0 22 - 42

CC: Tom Wescott 80 pass from Pete Galiano (Kandeh Kamara kick)

P: Manny Cortez 66 run (kick failed)

P: Anthony Sweet 61 pass from Cortez (kick failed)

P: Amar Williams 24 pass from Cortez (Ameer Williams pass from Cortez)

P: Safety

CC: Mike Blandon 20 pass from Galiano (Kamara kick)

CC: Jarred Alwan 9 run (pass failed)

P: Amar Williams 5 pass from Cortez (Sweet kick)

CC: Wescott 16 pass from Galiano (Kamara kick)

P: Tyrik Thomas 28 pass from Cortez (kick failed)

CC: Galiano 6 run (Alwan run)

CC: Alwan 1 run (Kamara kick)