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Minutes earlier, on Ridley’s first snap of its overtime possession, quarterback Al Humes delivered a 10-yard scoring strike to Payton in the right corner of the end zone. The win vaulted the third-seeded Green Raiders (11-0) into a second-round meeting with sixth-seeded Hatboro-Horsham, a 27-26 winner over Upper Darby.
"There was never a doubt," said Humes, who was sensational under center. "We knew we had Mrs. Cap looking down on us. We had faith we were going to come back. It was tough to focus this week, but we pulled together when we had to."
Rarely was there a game in which Capriotti wasn’t visible, largely due to her smile and up-beat personality. Aside from capturing the efforts of the Green Raiders through the lens, she was friendly with many of the players, as her two teenage children attend the school.
Friday morning, Capriotti’s funeral mass was held, giving family and friends a chance to say goodbye. A few hours later, Capriotti inspired the Green Raiders to one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory when it comes to Delaware County football. Prior to the game, a ceremony was held to honor Capriotti, whose home sits behind the scoreboard end of the field.
Staring at a nine-point hole heading into the third quarter, the result of a pair of blocked punts that yielded short touchdowns for the Colonials, Ridley started the second half in dubious fashion. A lost fumble in the first minute of the third quarter turned into a 1-yard touchdown sneak by Wilson that gave Plymouth Whitemarsh a 29-13 advantage.
At that point, Ridley appeared headed for an early exit from the playoffs. Not only were the Green Raiders hurting themselves, the Colonials were piling up decent chunks of yardage behind running back Romie Tribble (145 yards).
Ridley, though, didn’t pack it in. Rather, Humes and Payton jumpstarted the offense, along with fellow captains Mike DeSalis (offensive line) and Lenny Pinto (tight end). More, a crowd that had grown quiet began to buzz.
Following Wilson’s touchdown, Ridley answered with a six-play drive that was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from Cornelle Jenkins. On the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, Humes connected with Andrew Hodges.
The Green Raiders then held on the next two series, including one that entered the Ridley Red Zone. After those defensive stops, Humes went back to work, driving the Raiders 87 yards in nine plays. Humes twice hit Pinto for first downs and found Steve Gregg with a 19-yard touchdown pass. On the two-point conversion, Humes located Jenkins.
"We never thought ahead," said Humes, who was 25-for-38 for 285 yards and four touchdowns, including two in the first half to Rocco Nicolino. "We had to keep making plays. We had to get first downs. We were moving the ball, so we knew we could do it. The mistakes almost cost us, but..
After Plymouth Whitemarsh (twice) and Ridley failed to score on the final three possessions of the fourth quarter, the Green Raiders went on the offensive first in overtime. Immediately, Humes turned and rifled a 10-yard touchdown pass to Payton, who finished with eight catches for 123 yards.
Three plays later, Payton sealed the win with his third interception of the season. On first and second down, Dahmir Barrett (breakup) and Jenkins (tackle for loss) registered key plays.
"It was just a little comeback route," Payton said of his touchdown. "They were giving me underneath, so I thought it would be there. All week, I knew (Wilson) liked to go to (Shane Frangiosa) on the backside. I jumped the play. This feels great."
Playing in its fourth postseason in five years, Ridley will look to extend its stay against Hatboro-Horsham. The game will be played on Marion Field, and a friend will certainly be in attendance.
"The mass was overflowing with people," said Ridley coach John Waller. "The priest talked about how there has been so much support. (Louise) was such a wonderful person. I think she was looking down on us."
