Spalding Soars To Second Consecutive B Conference Title

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By Kevin Murnane
Archbishop Spalding’s running back K.K. Smith took a “leap of faith” from the four-yard line and landed on the pylon in the corner of the end zone. Smith’s touchdown proved to be the margin of victory in the recent showdown with Archbishop Curley that gave the Cavaliers the MIAA B Conference title for the second consecutive year.

The very physical, pad-popping contest had Spalding clinging to a one point lead, 14-13, with 5:58 left in the game. Smith was seemingly stopped for a loss, but reversed his field, received a great block from wide receiver Richard Gabelman, and then soared into the air and landed in the corner of the end zone to give Spalding an eight point cushion over the Friars.
“I saw K.K. was reversing his field and I gave him the signal to come this way, and I gave him a block and then I saw him go airborne to the end zone,” said a jubilant Gabelman afterward. “K.K. is an incredible player.”
Coach Mike Whittles agrees with that sentiment. “K.K. is the best player I’ve ever coached,” said Whittles, who is now in his 12th year at Spalding after coaching in the Green Hornets organization.
As for Smith, he never comes off the field for Spalding. He plays linebacker on defense and returns kickoffs and punts in addition to his role in the backfield. Smith, who just concluded his third varsity season, rushed for nearly 2,000 yards this year.
“I knew I had to score on that drive. The line did a great job all day… they really came through at the end,” said the ever-humble Smith, adding, “The coaches did an excellent job with the game plan too.”
The title game win was extra sweet for Spalding, which dropped a tough decision, 17-7, to Curley earlier in the season. In that game Curley held Smith to a season low in yardage.
“We made numerous mistakes in that game with turnovers and penalties,” recalled Whittles, “and Curley was the biggest team we faced all year… They really pushed us around.”
Despite some early jitters that resulted in mental mistakes - Spalding committed four major penalties in the first quarter alone - the Cavaliers used ball control football to mount two scoring drives in the first half. Both were on counter plays to running back Steve Manders as the Cavaliers went into the break with a 14-7 lead they would never relinquish.
Before the Cavaliers came out to start the second half, Coach Whittles implored his smaller squad to “sacrifice everything you have for the next 24 minutes for every player who has ever worn the red and white.”
Utilizing its size and power, Curley began to move the ball, but Coach Whittles responded by calling on some of his bigger players to go both ways in an effort to neutralize the Friars’ massive offensive line, which averages nearly 260 pounds. With 11:05 left in the fourth quarter, Curley scored its second touchdown, but a bad snap on the extra point attempt made the score, 14-13.
Ryan Cochrane’s kick-off return gave Spalding great field position near mid-field and the offense – in particular Smith – took over from there. On the ensuing drive, Coach Whittles consistently challenged his offensive lineman to sustain their blocks; several times calling on senior tackle Nick Allen by reminding him this was the last quarter of his high school career.
As the final seconds ticked off the Spalding players ran across the field and jumped into the stands to celebrate with family and friends - and Smith did his trademark post-game back flip.
“This was a special day for us because we just had to out-hustle Curley, and we did. I wanted the boys to cherish the moment,” said Whittles after the game.
When asked what this senior class mean

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