WAKE FOREST, N.C. — In two games in as many weeks, No. 7 Cardinal Gibbons picked up a pair of top 25 wins at the HighSchoolOT Jamborees. On Friday, the Crusaders defeated hosting No. 22 Wake Forest, 10-0The second HighSchoolOT Jamboree was hosted by Wake Forest High School at Trentini Stadium on Friday. Eight high-level programs from around the state are slated to participate: Wilson Prep, Warren County, Franklinton, South Johnston, No. 7 Cardinal Gibbons, No. 22 Wake Forest, No. 18 Garner, and No. 12 Northern Nash. The e...
WAKE FOREST, N.C. — In two games in as many weeks, No. 7 Cardinal Gibbons picked up a pair of top 25 wins at the HighSchoolOT Jamborees. On Friday, the Crusaders defeated hosting No. 22 Wake Forest, 10-0
The second HighSchoolOT Jamboree was hosted by Wake Forest High School at Trentini Stadium on Friday. Eight high-level programs from around the state are slated to participate: Wilson Prep, Warren County, Franklinton, South Johnston, No. 7 Cardinal Gibbons, No. 22 Wake Forest, No. 18 Garner, and No. 12 Northern Nash. The event is brought to you by the United States Army, Wake Orthopedics, and Talk it Out NC.
Wake and CGHS also participated in the first HSOT Jamboree on Monday, Aug. 10, but faced different teams. The Crusaders defeated No. 4 Millbrook 8-6 and the Cougars participated in a three-team round robin, in which they beat No. 9 Southeast Raleigh, 12-6, and tied No. 19 Rolesville, 0-0.
The team’s played two 22-minute halves with a running clock. The clock operated as usual during the final two minutes of each half.
The opening drive was a long one. Wake Forest had two third down conversions by Eastern Washington commit Micah Olu. The Cougars also moved the chains on a big 4th-and-1 conversion for freshman James Carr.
However, CGHS defenders Skylar Alston and Griffin Cockerham — an NC State pledge —blew up a pair of plays to force 4th-and-13.
When the Crusaders eventually got he ball back, the possession was fleeting with a three and out. Similarly, Wake’s next drive was stalled as CGHS 4-star defensive back and Notre Dame commit Xavier Hasan helped to force fourth down and a punt.
Cardinal Gibbons quarterback Mason Karras found James Howard with a wide open pass, however the pas was dropped. Soon after, the duo had a redeeming moment as a big gain moved the Crusaders inside the WF-25.
Sophomore running back Truth Ceasar broke the offensive silence in the first half by rushing in a 12-yard score. Tucker Toland kicked in the extra-point as CGHS seized a 7-0 halftime lead.
Karras orchestrated the offense as it moved into Wake Forest territory to begin the second half. The Cougars held CGHS up near the 40. That's where Toland attempted a nearly 50-yard field goal, which had the distance but missed wide left. With 15 minutes remaining in the game, Wake took over with a chance to tie it.
That didn't happen. Cardinal Gibbons' defense, particularly Hasan who is a top 75 recruit nationally, made WF uncomfortable as they pushed the line of scrimmage back before forcing WF to punt it back to the Crusaders with 11:35 to play.
Karras connected with Howard to move well into WF territory. A roughing the passer penalty expounded the gain, which put CGHS at the WF-15. Once in the red zone, Karras connected with Howard in the back of the end zone, but the receiver was incomplete. CGHS was ultimately forced into another field goal attempt.
There was a delay of game call on the Crusaders which backed Toland up for a 47-yard attempt. The junior sank the field goal to extend the lead to 10-0 with 3:30 to play.
A pick by CGHS senior Colt Kaplar put the icing on the cake as the Crusaders reclaimed possession and stopped Wake's final chance at scoring.
Scoring plays
| 1H | 2H | F |
| Cardinal Gibbons | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Wake Forest | 0 | 0 | 0 |