On a warm summer night under the lights in Fairfax, the Bishop Ireton Cardinals continued their winning ways with a come-from-behind 12-9 victory over Paul VI at Nellis Field.
The Ireton offense could not find its rhythm and the first quarter ended in a scoreless tie. Ireton quarterback Ed Pastorino was sacked on the first play of the second quarter. The ball rolled out of the end zone for a safety.
PVI came out throwing with 1:37 remaining in the first half, but Ireton’s Ryan Espinosa and Blake Bynum provided good pass coverage, forcing PVI to run. Two long runs to the right resulted in a first and goal from the four-yard line with less than one minute left in the half. On third and goal, PVI ran in for the score and led 9-0 at the half.
Ireton’s offense that was so ineffective in the first half controlled the ball for over nine minutes in the third quarter, stopping PVI’s momentum and threatening to score. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Pastorino found senior receiver Casey Sutherland on a post pattern in the end zone for a touchdown. It was Sutherland’s first career reception. The extra point failed and Bishop Ireton trailed 9-6 with 11:52 remaining in the game.
Ireton running back Doug Vines followed his blocking on the right side and scored with 3:41 remaining. The extra point failed, but Bishop Ireton led for the first time in the game, 12-9.
The Cardinals sealed their third win of the season and captured a sweep of their diocesan rivals. Ireton defeated O’Connell a week earlier in Arlington.

(c) Copyright 2007 by Arlington Catholic Herald