Moody drops a heartbreaker in the championship game

By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor

BIRMINGHAM – The historic season for the Moody Blue Devils did not end the way they wanted it to.  As Charlie Johnston’s desperation throw on a fourth down fell into the waiting arms of a Montgomery Catholic defensive back, the Blue Devils’ first trip to the AHSAA Super 7 ended with a 17-14 loss to the Knights.

Moody’s Charlie Johnston steps up in the pocket.
Credit: Ron Burkett

The first drive of the game saw Montgomery Catholic go 72 yards on two plays and put seven points on the board after just 27 seconds.  Kingston Preyear found receiver BJ Bedgood for 52 yards for the score and before you knew it, Moody was down by a touchdown.

Moody’s defense would tighten and get a stop on the next Catholic drive, but the offense was having trouble getting things together largely due to the speed of the Knights’ defense.

Montgomery Catholic had a big run to end the first quarter that appeared to be a touchdown, but it was decided that the runner was down at the one-yard line.

On the second play of the second quarter, Catholic’s Miles Khatri would punch it in from the one-yard line to put the Knights up 14-0.  Moody would continue to struggle on offense as Johnston would throw his two interceptions in the quarter.  To make matters worse, Johnston’s main target for the year, Josiah Dozier, would leave the game in the second quarter with an injury that would see him leave the stadium by ambulance, but return to cheer his team on in the latter part of the game.

The half would end with the Knights up by two touchdowns.

Not willing to concede, the Moody Blue Devils would take the opening drive straight down the field on an 11-play drive that covered 73 yards.  Le’Kamren Meadows would find paydirt from one yard out to put Moody on the board and make it 14-7 at the 8:07 mark of the third quarter.

Moody’s Le’Kamren Meadows on the run.
Credit: Ron Burkett

Moody’s defense would hold serve and give the ball back to Charlie Johnston and his offense.  All they did was put together another masterful drive, going 82 yards in ten plays, capped off by a Kaleb Goff run of 11 yards to tie the game up.

Catholic’s Giovanni Hayner, the player of the game for the Knights, would have a key 34-yard run late in the game, setting up kicker JP Costa for a short 23-yard field goal to put his team up 17-14 with 3:21 to play.

Moody’s offense would find some success on the following drive, but two controversial calls on fourth downs would prove detrimental for the Blue Devils.  The game would end with Johnston trying to get the ball down the field to Jalijah Rutledge on a hail mary that ended with a Montgomery Catholic interception.

The final score would be 17-14 and the Knights would enjoy their second consecutive state championship win (they won the 4A championship last year.)

“I’m proud of our guys,” said Moody coach Jake Ganus. “I think we were blinded by the lights a little bit.  We fought back.  Losing Joe (Dozier) hurt us in the passing game.  They were loading the box, but we got heavy in the second half and ran it successfully.  I was really proud of our defense for holding that team to 17, that’s tough.  They played really good like they have all year.  These seniors are so special.  I have never been around young men who lead.  That’s not easy anymore and these three guys (Sidney Walton, Charlie Johnston, and Kaleb Goff) have brought it back.  I’m just really thankful and blessed to be in this position.”

Speaking about the success in the second half, Ganus said, “We weren’t going to quit.  If you lay down against a team like that, they will beat you by 40 like they have pretty much everyone.  We had a shot late, but I am proud of the fight.  There was never a doubt.”

“I’m just really proud of this team,” said Johnston.  “We came a long way and worked hard in the offseason.  This senior class is amazing and these are friendships I will hold all of my life.  I hate how it ended.”

Sidney Walton said, “We made breakthroughs.  Coach Ganus came here and built a culture and we have lived through it.  We grew together.  I’m proud of how we grew and I’m ready for the next class to come in and get the job done.”

An emotional Kaleb Goff said, “First I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus for getting me here.  I want to thank Coach Ganus for making me the man I am and the player I am.  Charlie and Sidney for being by my side and never letting me get my head down.  We wouldn’t be here without Coach Ganus.”

The focus now shifts to the offseason and Ganus has a main goal.  “The culture is now established.  We plug in younger kids.  This next class will be my first four-year class.  We are going to rest up and then my sole goal in the next few weeks is to get Kaleb Goff and my other seniors to where they want to go.  My main goal is to get my players scholarships and life-changing opportunities and I believe I’m one of the best at it and that is where my focus and attention is going to go.  Finding these seniors a home.”

Ganus’ final statement was, “We are just getting started.  We will see you next year.”

Moody’s historic season ends with a 11-3 record.