Call it a Hail Mary. Call it the Immaculate Reception. Call it Divine Intervention. Call it a Miracle. Call it ESPN Sportscenter’s Top Play of the Day (which it was). Call it a great team knowing how to fight through adversity.
Trailing 40-35 with three ticks remaining on the clock in the Class AA State Championship, CBA senior quarterback Brayden Smith scrambled left outside the pocket and heaved a 35-yard pass to the endzone, which miraculously fell into the hands of senior Darien Williams. Chaos erupted, as the Brothers defeated fellow Lasallian school, CBA Albany 41-40 at the JMA Wireless Dome, and captured its second straight State Crown.
“Wow, I’m speechless,” head coach Casey Brown told reporters after the game. “You never lose unless you quit. And these kids just kept fighting.”
Fight they did. They weren’t going to be denied.
“I said from the start, ‘we are not losing this,’”Williams, who will trade in his purple and gold to orange and blue next year as a member of the Syracuse University football team shared. “It’s the last play of my high school career. Make a play. I wasn’t losing this game. We played too hard for this.”
Led by the 12th man, loud and proud Brothers Nation, the Dome, lit up in purple following the win, was filled with a sea of purple and gold, which included the Provincial of the District of Eastern North America Brother Robert Schaefer, and a member of the CBA Board of Trustees, and Brother Joe Juliano, who traveled to Syracuse to support both schools.
With the win, the Brothers capped off another undefeated season (14-0) and secured the school’s fourth championship. In addition to last year's title, CBA won the Class A State Title in 2021, and the Class AA Crown in 2004.
“This was high school athletics at its best - two phenomenal teams, passionate communities, and a once-in-a-lifetime finish,”remarked President Matt Keough.
The finish will undoubtedly go down as one of the top high school championship games in the state of New York ever. But, it’s the never-die attitude that the Brothers football team of 2024 will be long remembered for.
"Last night’s state championship victory is a testament to the dedication, talent, and heart of our players and coaches, whose hard work and commitment have led us to this incredible achievement, “Keough said. “I watched the game with tremendous pride and gratitude for our community in seeing our cheerleaders, students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of CBA demonstrate such incredible spirit. This win belongs to our entire Lasallian community.”
The Brothers had two rushing touchdowns in the first half from Quinten Lewis (six yards) and Isaiah Coleman (three yards). Daunte Bacheyie caught a one-yard pass from Smith. The teams were tied at 21 at the break.
CBA had two more rushing TDs in the fourth quarter from Austin Ariola and Smith.
Coleman led the team in rushing with 17 carries for 104 yards. Williams caught six passes for 107 yards.
CBA was a No. 1 seed heading into Sectionals. The Brothers coasted through the playoffs, defeating Rome Free Academy 56-21 and Utica Proctor 51-13; before prevailing over Cicero North Syracuse 21-13 for the Sectional Championship.
The first stop on the road to the State Title was a trip to Cicero North Syracuse High School, where the Brothers topped Elmira-Southside 63-12 for a State Regional victory. The following week, CBA who trailed for the first-time ever in the 2024 season, scored with 1:26 remaining in the game to defeat Aquinas Institute to punch their ticket to the Dome and the big dance.
“I think the lessons we learned last week came into effect tonight that you just keep fighting,” Brown said. “Give yourself a chance. … You’ve just got to believe. Believe in your brother, believe in the opportunity and dreams can come true.”
The Brothers become the first Central New York School ever to win back-to-back championships in Class AA, the highest class in the State. The Brothers outscored their opponents 618-175 this season. CBA has now won 43 of its last 44 games, including the past 28 straight.
“I am most proud of the actions that often go unnoticed,” Keough added. “You can win and still lose. After the game, our players consoled CBA Albany players, our coaches demonstrated the utmost respect, and our community recognized that true winning is not solely based on the final score. I left the game with great joy that we won in the ways that are often unnoticed.”
Call it pride. Call it joy. Call it another State Title!!!
Congratulations Brothers!!!
