St. Mary's edges Central Catholic with late block

STOCKTON — Central Catholic left Sanguinetti Field feeling it gave one away. St. Mary's knew it was fortunate to escape with a win.

William Mafi and Corey Mason combined to block Kenny Smart's 41-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the game, and the Rams survived a scare in a 25-24 victory in the annual Holy Bowl.

"We had to have the ball three-quarters of the game," Modesto Christian coach Roger Canepa said. "You couldn't ask for a better effort. It's frustrating."

What frustrated the Raiders' head coach was the littany of mistakes his team made, especially late.

The Raiders led 24-12 with 6:54 left in the third quarter after Craig Jones' 11-yard touchdown run, his third of the game. The Rams' comeback began on the ensuing possession. Bowe Merin threw to Giovanni Brusa, who broke away from the defender and raced untouched down the sideline on a pass play that covered 69 yards. St. Mary's scored on its next possession, when Merin culminated a 42-yard drive with a 16-yard pass to Brusa.