It came down to one play and maybe one inch as officials ruled that Hayden Gorball stopped James Criniti from scoring a 2 point conversion with 1:19 left in the game as #7 Northridge defeated #9 Saint Joseph 28-27 in an instant classic in the 4A Sectional Semifinals in our Sports Michiana Game of the Week.

Gorball’s game saving stop was our Big C Lumber Big Play of the Game and the Northridge senior is our Hawkins Water Tech Player of the Game. He also had seven catches for 102 yards receiving.

The top 10 showdown lived up to the billing in every sense.

Tied at 7 at halftime, Saint Joe’s Matt Champlin returned the opening kickoff of the 3rd quarter for a touchdown to give Saint Joe it’s first lead of the game. The two teams traded touchdowns throughout the 3rd and the game went to the 4th tied at 21.

With 2:45 left in the game, Northridge sophomore quarterback Jake Scholl rushed 9 yards for a touchdown on 3rd and 3 to put the Raiders ahead 28-21. Scholl had four touchdowns on the night, rushing for 125 yards and throwing for 294 yards.

Saint Joe wasn’t done. Huskies senior quarterback Sam Scicchitano connected with Antwone Ross for a 1st down to the 3 yard line. Ross had 9 catches for 88 yards and also rushed for 33 yards. Criniti took the direct snap out of the wildcat to rush in for the touchdown to make it 28-27 with 1:19 left in the game.

Saint Joe could have kicked an extra point to tie the game at 28 but head coach Ben Downey and offensive coordinator Joey Hecklinski elected to go for 2 to try and win it but Criniti was stood up at the goal line and the ruling on the field was he was down before making it into the end zone.

Saint Joe, which reached SemiState a year ago, sees its season end at 9-2.

Northridge improves to 11-0, avenging their last loss at the hands of Saint Joe in this very game last postseason. The Raiders will travel to arch rival NorthWood in the 4A Sectional Championship Game next Friday.