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Live updates: Carmel faces CBA-Syracuse in Class AA state championship game

Eugene Rapay and Mike Dougherty, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·6 min read

Carmel (11-1) is looking for its second state championship in three years, facing undefeated Christian Brothers Academy-Syracuse (12-0) out of Section 3.

The Rams have won nine straight games since losing in Week 2, just days after longtime coach Todd Cayea stepped down due to health reasons.

Related: How three Section 1 offensive lines paved the way to the state football finals

Quick scouting report on CBA-Syracuse

The Rams will have to take on another Christian Brothers Academy school, after dispatching CBA-Albany in last week's regional final.

CBA-Syracuse is averaging a whopping 45.3 points per game, and it is loaded on both sides of the ball.

It is highlighted by five Division I prospects, including Syair Torrence, the No.7-ranked prospect in the state and a former Syracuse commit. Torrence has offers from the likes of Michigan State, Syracuse, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Michigan.

There's also Daunte Bacheyie, Matthew Hawn, Marquan Saddler and Darien Williams, all of which have numerous Division I offers, including a few from Power 5 schools. While they lead the way, there are also promising underclassmen, who will likely receive similar attention on the recruiting front one day.

Pre-game

Both teams have made their entrances.

Carmel calls heads and wins the coin toss. The Rams elect to defer to CBA-Syracuse.

The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Check back all game long for updates.

First quarter

CBA-Syracuse's return man trips and is taken down at the CBA 19.

TOUCHDOWN: On the second play of the drive, after a short run, CBA-Syracuse quarterback Porter Matt lobs one over the top to Darien Williams, who goes all the way for a 78-yard touchdown reception. CBA-Syracuse takes a 7-0 lead, with 11:38 remaining in the first quarter.

Carmel responds with a big play on its first play from scrimmage after a touchback on the kickoff. Christian Nunez connects with Damien Santiago for a 43-yard reception into CBA-Syracuse territory. Christian Nunez gets taken down after a short run, but CBA-Syracuse is whistled for a facemask, which brings the Rams into the red zone. Carmel stalls out after a false start backs them up and is forced to attempt a 35-yard field goal. The kick sails wide, and remains a 7-0 CBA-Syracuse lead.

On third down, Porter Matt finds Darien Williams for another big catch, a 21-yard gain to the CBA-Syracuse 42. After a couple of penalties and off-target passes, Matt's third-and-long pass is complete in double coverage to Daunte Bacheyie for 43 yards to the Carmel 26.

TOUCHDOWN: After a 14-yard gain by Quinten Lewis gave CBA-Syracuse a first-and-goal, the Brothers add a second touchdown with a pass from Porter Matt to Jason Brunson for a 5-yard reception. CBA-Syracuse leads, 14-0, with 5:17 remaining in the first quarter.

Carmel gains traction on the ground, with Leo Venables bouncing right for a solid gain to cross midfield, but on the next play, Syair Torrence makes an acrobatic interception for CBA-Syracuse to give the Brothers the ball at their own 45.

TOUCHDOWN: After a couple of incompletions and a holding penalty to back them up, the Brothers get a 65-yard touchdown pass from Matt to Williams. CBA-Syracuse leads, 21-0, with 1:45 left in the first quarter.

END FIRST QUARTER: CBA-Syracuse 21, Carmel 0

Second quarter

Carmel's fake punt to start the quarter falls incomplete.

Rams get the ball back after a ball is tipped and intercepted by Matt Risley, who returns it to the 50, with 11:08 remaining in the quarter.

On third-and-10, Brian McGrory, filling in for the injured Christian Nunez, completes a 30-yard pass to Damien Santiago to bring the Rams into the red zone. The Rams stall out and CBA-Syracuse takes over on downs at their own 28.

CBA-Syracuse drives to the Carmel 35 and opts to go for it on fourth-and-4, but the pass falls short and incomplete. After taking over on downs, Carmel mishandles the snap and CBA-Syracuse gets the ball back.

CBA-Syracuse stalls and attempts the field goal from 34 yards out, but the kick is wide right.

TOUCHDOWN: On the first play after the missed field goal, Carmel's Tristan Werlau finds an opening and races down for an 80-yard touchdown. CBA-Syracuse leads, 21-7, with 2:06 left in the quarter.

With nine seconds left in the second quarter, CBA-Syracuse goes for it on fourth-and-1 at the Carmel 15. The pass intended for the end zone falls short and is broken up.

AT THE HALF: CBA-Syracuse 21, Carmel 7

Halftime stats

Carmel:

  • Tristan Werlau: 11 carries, 103 yards, touchdown

  • 184 yards of total offense

  • Matt Risley had an interception, and Tamba Kassoh had a sack on defense

CBA-Syracuse:

  • Porter Matt: 10-20 passing, 282 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception

  • Darien Williams: 4 receptions, 173 yards, 2 touchdowns

  • Jason Brunson: 5-yard touchdown reception

  • 344 yards of total offense

  • Syair Torrence had an interception on defense, and has 57 yards of total offense on five touches

  • CBA-Syracuse defense forced two turnovers and has two sacks.

Third quarter

Rams open the second half with the ball. McGrory remains in at QB.

Carmel's first drive of the half, sputters. Leo Venables is on to punt. CBA takes over out its own 24 with 10:17 to go in the third quarter.

TOUCHDOWN: Torrence applies perfect touch on a ball down the right sideline to Williams for a 48-yard score. PAT is good. CBA-Syracuse leads Carmel 28-7 with 7:13 to go in the quarter.

Rams are beginning to generate some offense. It's first-and-10 at the Brothers' 37-yard line, 4:55 to go in the quarter.

Werlau with a timely second-and-third effort run on fourth-and-3. He moves the chains, setting Carmel up on the 22.

A string of CBA injury timeouts has slowed the game to a crawl. The Rams had two backward plays and an incomplete pass. It's fourth down and 22 at the Brothers' 34 with 1:19 to go in the quarter.

McGrory is sacked on fourth down. CBA ball on its own 38,

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Christian Brothers Academy-Syracuse 28, Carmel 7

Fourth quarter

Carmel takes over on downs at their own 28, 10:21 to play.

And there goes Tristan Werlau for a 72-yard touchdown sprint straight up the middle. He was a blur. Jared Navidad adds the PAT. Rams close to within 28-14 with 10:10 to play.

Liam Forster has made play after play on along the defensive line for Carmel.

Not sure what the count is, but Christian Brothers has to be approaching the state record for most leg cramps in a December game.

Carmel defense jumps on fourth down. Brothers are first-and-10 at the Rams' 23, 6:42 to play.

CBA is first and goal after converting again on fourth down.

The celebration is starting. Andrew Cooney picks off a pass with 1:09 to go. Brothers set up at the Rams' 47.

Everett Gilchrist booms a 33-yard field goal for the Brothers after offensive PI call brings a TD back. CBA leads 31-14 with 1:35 to go.

Victory formation.

Heck of a run by the Rams. Nobody saw this coming after the Rams graduated so much talent and watched Todd Cayea step down two weeks into the season.

FINAL: Christian Brothers Academy-Syracuse 31, Carmel 14.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Carmel NY football vs. CBA-Syracuse: Live updates from JMA Dome