Holy Family Football Falls Short in Semifinals, 21-14 Loss

BREAKING: Holy Family football’s remarkable run in the Class 3A state semifinals ended in a nail-biting 21-14 loss against top-seeded Windsor on Saturday afternoon. The fifth-seeded Tigers fought valiantly but fell just short, concluding a challenging 6-5 season.

The game was a fierce contest held at Windsor’s home field, where Holy Family’s coach Mike Gabriel praised his team’s resilience. “Our kids are just warriors, man. They played with such courage,” he stated, highlighting the determination displayed by his squad as they battled against a physically imposing Windsor team.

Despite the setback, Holy Family’s performance was commendable. They were quick to respond after Windsor opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run by Adrian Czyszczon with 4:31 left in the first half. The Tigers struck back just minutes later when quarterback Kaden Hopkin connected with Roman Ochs for a touchdown, leveling the score at 7-7 before halftime.

After halftime, Hopkin fired a 31-yard touchdown pass to Nick Leopardi, giving Holy Family a 14-7 lead. However, Windsor retaliated with two touchdowns from Mason Moore and Czyszczon, sealing the Tigers’ fate as they struggled to maintain their momentum.

With just four minutes remaining, Holy Family’s last offensive push was halted at midfield on a critical fourth-and-9 play. “I think they figured us out a little bit and we wore down,” Gabriel reflected after the game. “They just had a little more than we did today, unfortunately.”

This loss means the Tigers conclude their season with an impressive 11-2 record, while Windsor advances to face No. 2 Pomona in the championship game next week. “Holy Family athletics, it’s not just a team,” Ochs noted. “It’s a band of brothers, a common goal, and a testament to hard work.” The emotional impact of the season was palpable as the team reflected on their achievements and growth.

As the football community rallies around this inspiring team, the sentiment remains that the Tigers will return stronger next season. Stay tuned for updates as the playoffs continue and the championship game approaches.