WEST PALM BEACH – Up 27-10 late in the third quarter, Daniel McCullon wanted his team to put the game out of reach.
The Benjamin senior two-way player challenged his teammates to effectively end Cardinal Newman’s season on one potent offensive drive. He made this declaration to the Buccaneers players right after their defense forced the Crusaders to turn the ball over on downs.
The Santino Marucci-Daniel McCullon connection would be how it happens. And just as he predicted, McCullon went in for a long diving catch to the end zone as time expired in the third frame.
With the score now at 33-10, it felt like the game was over. It pretty much was, save for a nice 40+ touchdown run by Cardinal Newman senior quarterback Austin Wallace that provided the 33-16 final score in the fourth quarter.
“With the scoreboard how it was and with the time left on the clock, as long as we put one more on the board, it was sealed,” McCullon said.
McCullon, who caught two touchdown passes from Marucci against Cardinal Newman, spoke on their special connection on the field.
“Me and Santino worked together day in and day out every week in the summer,” McCullon said. “We worked and trained for these games. Once we get to game time, it’s just fun for us because we know we put in the hard work in the offseason.”
Marucci offered his take on his on-field connection with McCullon.
“It started since I got here as a freshman and he was a sophomore,” said Marucci, who accounted for five touchdowns in the 17-point win over Cardinal Newman. “It just grew to what it is today. When we get on the field, this is just where we have the most fun, in and out.”
No. 6 seed Benjamin (8-3) came into this game as a one-point underdog to No. 3 seed Cardinal Newman in the Class 3A-Region 3 quarterfinal matchup. The road team was not happy with that prediction, and it showed on the field for most of the game.
“We know who we are, and everyone else should too,” Marucci said. “When you stumble a couple of games, everyone doubts you. They put you down and say, ‘You’re not this, you’re not that.’ But we knew who we were from the start. We’re a brotherhood, we’re a family. The sky is the limit with this group.”
Marucci accounted for all five of Benjamin’s touchdowns, including end zone runs of 2 and 6 yards that gave his team a 20-7 lead late in the first quarter.
Marucci’s two rushing touchdowns proved to be the difference in this one, and the Benjamin offensive line made sure it would happen that way.
“Our offensive line is a big group,” Benjamin junior offensive lineman Andrew Weisz said. “We protect Santino, we protect the running backs. We had a game plan coming into this one. Our main goal was to to get off the ball and execute.”
Benjamin head coach Eric Kresser was happy with his team’s overall production against Cardinal Newman. But it was Bucs defensive effort that stood out to him the most.
“Our game plan was to hold No. 2 (running back Chris D’Or) to little to no yards,” Kresser said. “He still got a few big plays, but I think we held him pretty well, considering what he could have done. It was a team effort. Our guys played well on both sides of the ball.”
3A-REGION 3 SEMIFINAL SLATE
Next game for No. 8/No. 6 seed Benjamin: Away at No. 2 seed Bishop Verot (8-2) in Fort Myers; Friday, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. kickoff
Next game for No. 6/No. 3 seed Cardinal Newman: Season over
OTHER PLAYOFF RESULTS: FHSAA REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS
CLASS 8A-REGION 3
No. 1 seed Vero Beach 42, No. 4/No. 8 seed Boca Raton 7
Final record: Boca Raton (8-3)
No. 3/No. 2 seed Palm Beach Central 49, No. 7 seed Centennial 42
Record now: Palm Beach Central (9-2)
No. 3 seed Deerfield Beach 53, No. 7/No. 6 seed Palm Beach Gardens 9
Final record: Palm Beach Gardens (7-3)
No. 5 seed Treasure Coast 40, No. 5/No. 4 seed Santaluces 0
Final record: Santaluces (7-3)
CLASS 7A-REGION 3
No. 1/No. 1 seed Palm Beach Lakes 32, No. 8 seed East Lake 27
Record now: Palm Beach Lakes (10-0)
No. 2 seed Mitchell 33, No. 9/No. 7 seed Seminole Ridge 14
Final record: Seminole Ridge (6-4)
CLASS 7A-REGION 4
No. 2/No. 3 seed Delray Beach Atlantic 47, No. 6 seed Blanche Ely 12
Record now: Atlantic (7-3)
REGIONAL SEMIFINAL SLATE
8A-REGION 3: No. 2 seed Palm Beach Central (9-2) vs. No. 3 seed Deerfield Beach (8-3)
7A-REGION 3: No. 1 seed Palm Beach Lakes (10-0) vs. No. 5 seed Venice (7-4)
7A-REGION 4: No. 3 seed Atlantic (7-3) at No. 2 seed McArthur (8-2)
4A-REGION 3: No. 10/No. 2 seed Delray Beach American Heritage (5-5) vs. No. 3 seed Tampa Catholic (6-5)
1A-REGION 4: No. 2 seed Pahokee (4-5) vs. No. 3 seed Hawthorne (8-3)
NOTE: All games are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
