St. Albans defeats Bell 40-34 in OT to win DCSAA Class A football title

On Saturday, the St. Albans Bulldogs secured their first-ever DCSAA State Championship with a thrilling 40-34 overtime victory over the Bell Griffins in the Class A final at Georgetown University's Cooper Field. The game epitomized the team's resilience, with nine of their 13 games decided by one score or less. Sophomore quarterback Brett Pautskis and senior wide receiver Lacy Rice delivered critical plays, including a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter and the winning score in overtime. Bell's strong first-half performance saw them take an early 22-7 lead, but St. Albans stormed back to lead 27-22 by halftime, fueled by Rice's stellar receptions and defensive plays.

The second half was a back-and-forth battle. Bell regained the lead, and their star running back, Antonio Washington, led a grueling drive in the fourth quarter. However, the Bulldogs' defense, led by senior linebacker Kenny Dilanian and Rice, made key stops to keep the game within reach. A late, 86-yard scoring drive capped by Rice's dramatic touchdown tied the game. In overtime, St. Albans' defense stopped Bell, and Pautskis connected with Rice for the decisive score.

Rice was named MVP for his outstanding performance, recording 193 receiving yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions, and several key tackles. The Bulldogs ended their season with a 9-4 record, their best since 2010. The title also marks the first football title for St. Albans since winning the IAC championship in 2010.

Click HERE for the story from the Washington Post.