The Bishop O'Connell Knights kept their postseason hopes alive by defeating archrival Paul VI 35-20 on Nov. 1 under the lights at Yorktown H.S. O'Connell concluded its regular season with an overall record of 5-5 (3-4 WCAC).

PVI dropped to 4-5 overall (2-4 WCAC). The Panthers will host Good Counsel Nov. 7 to conclude the regular season.

PVI, coached by Pat McGroarty (first season), marched down the field on its first offensive possession, keyed by sophomore Keone Kyle's 70-yard run from scrimmage. Kyle has nearly 1,100 yards on the ground this season for the Panthers.

However, PVI turned the ball over on downs deep in O'Connell territory, which derailed the Panthers prospects of taking an early lead. "Turning the ball over on downs right there really hurt. It set the tone," said McGroarty.

The Knights, coached by Steve Trimble, got the early momentum and proceeded to bolt to a 15-0 lead late in the first quarter courtesy of senior running back Steve Hendley's two-yard run and senior QB Bush Hamdan's three-yard run.

Hamdan also connected with senior Matt Mallory for a two-point PAT, after the Knights second score.

PVI fought back to close the deficit to 15-7 when senior QB Mike Geraghty connected with senior wide receiver Drew Bonk from 16 yards out with 6:06 remaining in the second quarter.

PVI senior "DB" James Aubrey intercepted Hamdan on the Knights next offensive series, but the Panthers were unable to cash in.

"We made some costly mistakes tonight which hurt," said Aubrey.

O'Connell, which thrashed St. John’s 21-0 last week, closed out the first half with another score. Hamdan connected with senior all-purpose threat Jeremy Trimble on an acrobatic 20-yard scoring strike 62 seconds before halftime, to catapult the Knights to a 22-7 advantage.

Trimble not only scored what turned out to be the decisive touchdown of the game, but also booted his second extra point.

"O'Connell and Paul VI have pretty good relations off the field, but on the field it is basically a war," said Hamdan, the Knights three-year varsity signal caller.

After intermission, Panther senior defensive back Steve Hughes returned an O'Connell fumble 55 yards to the Knights 31-yard line. Hughes has two picks and two fumble recoveries on the season.

Eight plays later, sophomore standout Kyle scored from two yards out. "The offensive line [Dan Matheny, Jeff Marcey, Tim Coogan, Khalil Hall and Pat Healy] not only blocked well tonight, they've blocked well all season long," said Kyle.

Following senior kicker Mike Armellino's PAT, PVI drew within 22-14 with 1:35 remaining in the third quarter.

O'Connell senior football/basketball standout Noah Rogers returned the kickoff 15 yards from his "upback" position.

More fireworks commenced two offensive plays later, when Hamdan lofted a beautiful spiral down the right sideline. Junior wide receiver Andrew Stockel caught the ball in full stride and scored from 57 yards to increase O'Connell's lead to 29-14. Stockel has six receiving TDs on the year.

The teams traded punts to open the fourth quarter. Panther senior "DB" Michael Billingsley stepped in front of the O'Connell receiver and intercepted Hamdan.

Billingsley (coach McGroarty's nephew) electrified the Panther crowd by returning the ball 58 yards for PVI's final touchdown of the contest.

Armellino missed the PAT, and O'Connell led 29-20 with 4:07 remaining.

"I read Hamdan's eyes. I jumped on the pass. We knew we had to make some big plays out there tonight," said Billingsley, a transfer from DeMatha.

"O'Connell is a very good team, but our kids fought back all game long. These kids deserve credit for staying within striking distance the entire game," said McGroarty.

O'Connell scored one final time when Hamdan connected with Trimble on a strike from 14 yards. Hamdan has thrown for 18 TD passes this season and 12 have gone to Trimble.

"It was an exciting season. We're hoping to make the playoffs. Even if we don't, the senior class will have gone out with a bang. I will always have good thoughts regarding this current season," said Jeremy Trimble.

"Offensively, we wanted to be able to both run and pass on Paul VI. We knew that if our defense could get us the ball back, that we would be able to score. This first season has really been a learning experience. Give our kids a lot of credit for hanging in there all season long," said Coach Trimble.

O'Connell has also improved considerably this season. After winning merely three games last year in coach Snyder's "swan song", the Knights have defeated: Ireton, St. Albans, Carroll, St. Johns and PVI in 2003.

If Gonzaga defeats St. John’s this Saturday it would put O'Connell into the WCAC playoffs as the fourth seed. The Knights would face top-seeded DeMatha next week.