Down 26-7 in the fourth quarter on the road, the McDonogh Eagles had every reason to pack it in. Their offense had sputtered up to that point, quarterback Rudy Johnson had fumbled and led a three-and-out on two consecutive drives. There was 6:39 left in the game and some of their supporters were already warming up their cars in the parking lot.

However, instead of folding, Johnson passed for three consecutive touchdowns as the Eagles scored 20 points in the final five minutes of the game to shock the Georgetown Prep Hoyas on their home field, 27-26.

Up to that point in the fourth, the Hoyas held Mcdonogh’s offense in check. Johnson was not getting the balls out quick enough and his scrambling was ineffective for three and a half quarters. After he fumbled on a run up the middle he came back to the sideline with his head down. He went straight to his mentor on the team.

“Coach Kenny is a coach and a friend,” said Johnson. “He told me to keep my head up and that I would get another chance.”

Johnson’s chance came two possessions later when the Eagles went to the no-huddle for the first time in the game and proceeded to shred the Hoyas secondary. “We went to a no-huddle and then all of a sudden our receivers started making plays.”

Passes that were late before were right on time with great accuracy. Scrambles that were ineffective just a quarter ago turned into big gainers for the Eagles as they marched into Hoya territory. Johnson capped the drive with a four-yard toss to wide receiver Justin Gross. The score cut Georgetown Prep’s lead down to 26-14 with 4:49 left in the game.

The Eagles defense forced the Hoyas into a three and out on their ensuing possession and the Eagles scored again quickly with a 32-yard bomb to receiver Gabe Macis, cutting into the lead even further at 26-20 with 3:32 on the game clock. Everything was clicking for the Eagles as the drive took all of 28 seconds and covered 83 yards.

After stopping the Hoyas again, McDonogh got the ball back at their own 22 with 1:34 left in the game. Johnson proceeded to orchestrate a masterful drive. Johnson scrambled to buy more time for his receivers multiple times during the drive as the Eagles marched downfield with no timeouts.

With 22 seconds left, Johnson hit Macis over the middle and after a couple of jukes and missed tackles the receiver found himself in the end zone and the Eagles found themselves ahead for the first time since the beginning of the second half.

Johnson finished the game with 335 passing yards and four touchdowns. Macis and Gross also put up big numbers with 131 and 92 yards respectively.

Game Stats

Rushing Leaders

McDonogh: Ellis 16-62, Johnson 4-19, Macis 1-9

Prep: Gribbin 22-116, Rutland 4-34, Fairbank 3-29, Schryber 3-13, Bryan 5-7

Passing Leaders

McDonogh:  Johnson 23-34-311

Prep: Schryber 9-15-86

Receiving Leaders

McDonogh: Macis 8-131, Gross 5-92, Kennedy 8-64, Eby 2-17

Prep: Gribbin 3-44, Davis 2-18, Mulchandani 3-17, Phillips 1-7

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter: Georgetown Prep Field Goal, 3-0

22-yard kick by Macomber

Second Quarter: McDonogh Touchdown, 7-3

20-yard pass to Gross from Johnson (Eby Kick)

Third Quarter: Georgetown Prep Touchdown, 10-7

4-yard run by Gribbin (Macomber kick)

Third Quarter: Georgetown Prep Touchdown, 17-7

Gribbin recovered blocked punt in the end zone (Macomber kick)

Fourth Quarter: Georgetown Prep Field Goal, 20-7

34-yard kick by Macomber

Fourth Quarter: Georgetown Prep Touchdown, 26-7

1-yard run by Bryan (pass failed)

Fourth Quarter: McDonogh Touchdown, 14-26

4-yard pass from Johnson to Gross (Eby kick)

Fourth Quarter: McDonogh Touchdown, 20-26

32-yard pass from Johnson to Macis (kick failed)

Fourth Quarter: McDonogh Touchdown, 27-26

32-yard pass from Johnson to Macis (Eby kick)