Johnson leads Eagles to stunning victory

McDonogh quarterback Rudy Johnson has been wowing coaches, scouts and fans for the last two years. But on Friday afternoon the Buffalo-commit had one of the most memorable nights of his career. Trailing Georgetown Prep 26-7 with just over five minutes to play, Johnson led McDonough on three straight touchdown drives to win the game, 27-26. The stunning comeback - one of the best so far this year - kept McDonogh atop the MIAA A-Conference standings at 7-1.

"As a team everyone just elevated their games," Johnson said. "There was no quit in anybody. We looked at each other and made up our minds that if we were going to lose this game we were going to go down fighting.

"I saw how badly everyone wanted it," Johnson continued. "And it made me want it even more. I'm just glad I could deliver."

Johnson finished the day with 335 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes. But before those surreal five minutes in the fourth quarter, Georgetown Prep held Johnson at bay. He threw an interception in the first half, fumbled once and was sacked five times. But he made the plays when it counted.

"Georgetown Prep held me in check pretty much the whole game until the last five minutes," Johnson said. "But those last five minutes were special. Everything just came together."

McDonogh actually had a 7-3 going into halftime when Johnson connected with receiver Justin Gross for a 20-yard score late in the second quarter. But then the Little Hoyas started to dominate the Eagles' defensive line. They rallied for 23 straight points in the second half.

But with 6:39 left in the game, Johnson and the Eagles took over.

"No one said anything," Johnson said. "We knew the game wasn't over."

For one of the first times all day, the Eagles started to move the ball. They drove inside the Georgetown Prep 5-yard line, and with 4:49 left Johnson hit Gross (four catches, 84 yards) on a 4-yard comeback.

Now McDonogh had some momentum. The defense forced a quick three-and-out and the offense took over again. This time they drove to the Prep 32 when Johnson decided to take a shot at the end zone.

Gabe Macis, who lined up in the backfield, ran a wheel route and drew one-on-one coverage as he dashed down the left sideline. Johnson threw a high, arching deep ball in the back corner of the end zone. Macis hauled it in with 3:32 left on the clock.

"I have all the trust in the world in Gabe," Johnson said. "I put the ball up there for him and he made a great play."

McDonogh trailed by just six, 26-20. But all Georgetown Prep had to do was get a first down and the game was over.

Not on this night. The Eagles defense forced another three-and-out, giving the offense one last shot to tie. The clock read 1:34.

"There was no pressure at all," Johnson said. "It was like we were out there in practice. I just had a feeling we could do it. I knew the receivers were going to run great routes. I knew I was going to have time to throw because the line was blocking great. Now I just had to be smart and accurate with the ball."

The task in front of him was formidable. The Little Hoyas had pinned McDonough at their own 7-yard line, forcing the Eagles to drive 93 yards with no timeouts. Johnson, however, summoned his inner Johnny Unitas, king of the two-minute drill.

Like Unitas to Raymond Berry in the game-winning drive in the 1958 NFL championship, Johnson hooked up with his No. 1 receiver, Macis. The two roommates connected four straight times on McDonogh's final drive.

With 22 seconds left in the game, the Eagles had the ball at the Little Hoyas' 34. Johnson dialed up another long ball. The play, however, was set up for receiver Neil Kennedy and not Macis. But the Prep defense, playing a deep Cover-2, sealed Kennedy off. Johnson began to scramble, looking for another option.

"When I get in trouble I always look for that No. 7 [Macis] on the field," Johnson said. "I saw Gabe come open over the middle and I just threw it as hard as I could. I prayed it would get through."

It did.

Macis caught the ball at the 15 then quickly turned around and sped upfield. The Prep defense didn't touch him as he crossed the goal line. Touchdown. After the extra point, McDonogh had pulled off the unthinkable: Twenty points in five minutes.

"Gabe and I both board together at McDonough and we were roommates all last year," Johnson said. "To throw the game-winning touchdown to one of your closest friends is one of the best feelings I can imagine.

"I don't think I've ever been that happy in my life," Johnson continued. "We showed that we're never going to quit. We're going to fight to the end."