St. Bonaventure & Crespi make for an exciting finish

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In a game that featured six lead changes and four ties, No. 3 Ventura St. Bonaventure prevailed, 42-41, in overtime against No. 17 Encino Crespi - an outcome that wasn’t decided until the last kick.

Seraphs quarterback Logan Meyer rolled to the far side of the field for a two-yard touchdown score to tie it up at 41-41. Sophomore kicker Mason Kirk clinched the victory with the extra point.

On the previous possession, Crespi running back Rhasheed Johnson ran in for a one-yard touchdown, but Patrick McDonough‘s kick sailed wide left.

St. Bonaventure (4-0) has remained undefeated in its past 14 games while the Celts (2-2) dropped it second consecutive game.

Meyer went 17-of-28 for 169 yards with two touchdowns while Crespi quarterback Bryan Bennett finished 18-of-27 for 227 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Seraphs running back Devon Blackledge had 28 carries for 137 yards and Troy Hill led with two touchdowns, an 11-yard run in the first quarter and a 95-yard kickoff return in the third.

Johnson rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns off 16 carries.

Crespi held a 14-7 half-time lead and appeared capable of upsetting St. Bonaventure. The Celts tied the Seraphs when Bennett connected to Blake Stanton on a 51-yard touchdown pass at the 10:25 mark.

With 5.8 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Bennett connected with tight end Pierce Richardson on a nine-yard touchdown pass. That happened after Celts’ defensive back Brad Lattanzio recovered a fumble by Meyer on Crespi’s 41-yard line.

But St. Bonaventure quickly answered in the second half.

Jalen Jefferson intercepted a Bennett pass and ran for a 45-yard touchdown with 10:34 remaining in the third quarter, though the Celts still led 14-13 after Kirk missed the extra point.

Later in the third quarter, Hill ran for a 95-yard touchdown off a kickoff return. The Seraphs tied the game at 21-21with 6:32 remaining after Blackledge ran for a 2-point conversion.

The two teams traded two touchdowns each in the fourth quarter, setting up the showdown in overtime that ultimately was decided by an extra point.

--Mark Medina