Bishop Chatard had to work through more than a few difficult possessions Friday night. Roncalli’s defense made the Trojans earn their yards, created pressure on Harrison Odom and had opportunities to change the game.
But when Chatard needed a finish, Odom kept finding Cam Harden.
The connection produced all three of the Trojans touchdowns in a 24-7 regional final win over Roncalli. Daniel Adams provided balance on the ground, while Chatard’s defense helped keep the Royals from building consistent offensive momentum.
Roncalli made its presence felt early. Mikey Dillon broke up a pass near the goal line, Nolan Denney disrupted Odom in the pocket and the Royals limited Chatard to a field goal on one of its first trips into scoring territory. Even when the Trojans moved the ball, Roncalli found ways to make the next play difficult.
Chatard eventually broke through just before halftime. After Odom escaped pressure and moved outside the pocket, he found Harden in the back corner of the end zone. The touchdown gave the Trojans a 10-0 lead and rewarded a drive that had required several key conversions.
The Trojans opened the second half with another extended possession. Adams helped move the offense downfield, and Chatard kept the drive alive on fourth-and-two. Odom finished it with his second touchdown pass to Harden, pushing the lead to 17-0.
Roncalli answered with its best offensive stretch of the night. The Royals put together an 11-play, 64-yard drive, using a mix of runs and short throws before Dominic Cromer finished it with a one-yard touchdown. The drive cut the deficit to 17-7 and showed the Royals could move the ball against Chatard’s defense.
That response kept the game within reach, but Chatard had another answer.
Adams helped the Trojans get into scoring position in the fourth quarter, though Roncalli continued to make the offense work. A holding penalty pushed Chatard back, setting up third-and-goal from the 11. Odom went back to Harden, and the two connected for the third time to restore the Trojans’ 17-point advantage.
Roncalli continued to compete defensively, but the offense couldn’t put together another scoring drive. Cromer helped move the Royals downfield on their final serious push, including a completion to Luke Roeder, before penalties and an intentional-grounding call created a difficult fourth-and-goal from approximately the 28-yard line. Cromer’s pass fell incomplete, and Chatard took over.
The Royals had stretches where their defense made Chatard uncomfortable. The difference was that the Trojans converted enough of their opportunities into touchdowns, while Roncalli’s offense couldn’t sustain the same consistency.
Odom and Harden supplied the finishing touch. Adams helped keep the offense balanced, and Chatard’s defense made sure the Royals second-half push didn’t become something more. Bishop Chatard will take on the winner of Heritage Hills and East Central for Semi-State Championship.
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