LOUISVILLE, Ky.— In the final game of the regular season, Bellarmine sprint football rallied but fell short by a final score 31-28 at Calumet College of St. Joseph on Saturday night.
 
Both teams entered the game with a 4-1 record and a chance to earn a spot in the MSFL Championship Game.  The Knights (4-2) ended the regular season in third place out of six teams in the league.  Calumet's (5-1) victory vaulted them into a title game matchup against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
 
Bellarmine and CCSJ came into Saturday's game with the top two rushing offense in the MSFL.  The Crimson Wave, however, utilized their passing game to take an early advantage.  Calumet quarterback Carson Crowe connected with Nino Barbosa for a 27-yard completion on the opening drive to set up first and goal.  CCSJ eventually cashed in with a 26-yard field goal to lead 3-0.
 
Following a Bellarmine three-and-out, the Crimson Wave put together a 10-play, 87-yard touchdown drive.  The march was capped by a 15-yard TD pass from Crowe to Robert Shegog, and Calumet pushed ahead 10-0 in the first quarter.
 
Another touchdown in the second quarter came from running back Elijah Antis, and Calumet found itself up 17-0.  At that point, Bellarmine's offense started to move the ball, and the comeback began.  The Knights drove into Crimson Wave territory for the first time on the ensuing drive, but an interception halted the charge. 
 
Bellarmine immediately earned the ball back with a Devan Hendricks interception that he returned to the Calumet 27 yard-line.  Six Brenden Reid rushes later on the next Bellarmine possession, the Knights had their first touchdown on a one-yard Reid TD run.
 
The second half is when Bellarmine made its biggest push.  Calumet scored on its opening drive of the third quarter to move ahead 24-7, but an 11-play, 80-yard drive from the Knights pulled them closer.  Devan Hendricks found pay dirt, rushing for his third touchdown of the year to make the score 24-14.
 
Another Bellarmine interception, this time from Tavius Francis, gave the ball back to BU, but the Knights turned it over on downs.
 
Later in the half, the longest play of the season brought Bellarmine within one possession for the first time since the first quarter.  Dylan Gough connected with Hendricks for a 92-yard touchdown pass, and a Francis rush for a two-point conversion made the score 24-22. 
 
Bellarmine's defense held strong again, and the Knights had the ball with a chance to take the lead, but Calumet's Josh Tejada forced a Gough fumble, and the Crimson Wave returned it for a touchdown to move ahead 31-22.  Bellarmine put together another late touchdown drive with just seconds remaining, but there was not enough time left for BU to fully complete the comeback.
 
For the game, Bellarmine's offense outgained CCSJ 394-339, but the Crimson Wave had a 163-104 edge on the ground. 
 
Individually, Gough threw for a career-best 290 yards, while Reid rushed for 92 yards on Saturday night. 
 
Next, is the post-season for Bellarmine.  The MSFL post-season format pits the third place team against the fourth place team in a consolation game.  Thus, Bellarmine will host Quincy (3-3) next Saturday at St. Xavier High School.  The start time will be announced this upcoming week.
 
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