Pat Elliott and Springside Chestnut Hill outlast Father Judge

Springside Chesntut Hill Academy's Pat Elliott is a hard-hitting outfielder and third baseman in baseball, and will likely concentrate on that sport in college.

But one of the fondest memories of his high school career will no doubt be playing a major role in a wild 56-46 nonleague football victory Friday night over Father Judge in the Crusaders' first varsity contest across from the school at the James J. Ramp Athletic Complex.

"I know how much they wanted to win their first game here, but we were just as determined to get the victory," Elliott said.

Elliott led the way as the Blue Devils rallied from a 33-20 deficit in the second half to win their season opener in a steady drizzle.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior, who last season was a first-team all-Inter-Ac League selection on offense, hauled in second-half touchdown passes of 12, 15, and 30 yards.

The Crusaders (1-1) took a 39-33 advantage midway through the third quarter when senior dual-threat-quarterback Shane Dooley broke free for a 67-yard score.

Less than two minutes later, Elliott intercepted a Dooley pass near the home sideline and returned it 43 yards for a go-ahead score.

"I kind of saw that one coming," Elliott said. "Shortly before that, there was a similar pass and I came in and knocked it down."

Elliott and Dooley were teammates at SCH before Dooley, who is in his third year at Judge, transferred to Archbishop Wood for his freshman year.

"We're still good friends," Elliott said.

With Judge nursing a 46-42 lead in the fourth stanza, Elliott took a right-side screen from Angelos and, impressively evading three would-be tacklers, produced a 15-yard score.

"He's a tough kid, a real gamer, and never comes off the field," Blue Devils coach Rick Knox said of Elliott. "He's got good hands and moves real well after the catch."

SCH, which went 6-5 overall and 2-3 in Inter-Ac play last season, overcame a stellar effort from Judge's Katob Joseph.

Joseph, a multipurpose standout, rushed 20 times for 237 yards and two scores. The 5-10, 160-pound speedster also hauled in TD passes of 29, 78, and 8 yards.

Springside Chestnut Hill 6 14 22 14-56

Father Judge 7 20 12 7-46

FJ: Katob Joseph 29 pass from Shane Dooley (Kevin King kick)

SCH: Aaron Angelos 1 run (kick failed)

FJ: Joseph 29 run (kick failed)

SCH: Ke'Shawn Williams 58 pass from Angelos (Luke Greenberg kick)

FJ: Joseph 78 pass from Dooley (Jack Isdell kick)

SCH: Williams 90 kickoff return (Greenberg kick)

FJ: Joseph 8 pass from Dooley (Isdell kick)

FJ: Joseph 68 run (kick blocked)

SCH: Elliott 12 pass from Angelos (Greenberg kick)

SCH: Rob Gentile 28 run (Greenberg kick)

FJ: Dooley 67 run (run failed)

SCH: Elliott 43 interception return (Elliott pass from Angelos)

FJ: Dooley 15 run (Isdell kick)

SCH: Elliott 15 pass from Angelos (Greenberg kick)

SCH: Elliott 30 pass from Angelos (Greenberg kick)