Cardinal Gibbons football holds on by the skin of its teeth against Wake Forest

In a defensive battle befitting a playoff matchup — something both of the teams playing Friday hope will come to fruition — Cardinal Gibbons running back Joshua Stoneking broke through a defensive stalemate on a 30-yard touchdown scamper with 6:38 to play in the fourth quarter and the Crusaders defense held on late in a 10-9 win over previously unbeaten Wake Forest.

With Cardinal Gibbons (2-2) and Wake Forest (3-1) even at 3-3 to start the final frame, Stoneking barreled through the line, slipped a pair of arm tackles and rumbled into the end zone. The successful extra point made it 10-3.

Wake Forest roared back and scored its first touchdown 1:19 later when Nigel Lucas reeled in a long throw from running back Michael Dipasquale on a trick play, but a bobbled snap on the extra point attempt left the Cougars trailing 10-9. They got the ball back after holding the Crusaders on their ensuing possession, and again after another brief offensive series by the Crusaders.

Wake Forest had one last chance to win the game when it lined up for a 53-yard field goal try on the final play of the contest, but the Cardinal Gibbons special teams unit blocked the kick to end the game.

Daniel Monti scored the first points of the game on a 44-yard field goal in the first half. Wake Forest answered with an Evan Helfrich field goal in the third quarter to knot things at 3-3.

This story will be updated.

This story was originally published September 9, 2022 at 10:20 PM.