FAIRFIELD -- After watching a 16-point, fourth-quarter lead against Fairfield Prep turn into a four-point deficit, the St. Joseph offensive unit trotted onto the field for the final minute Friday unwilling to panic.

 

After all, the Cadets still had 58 seconds to go 65 yards. They're familiar with the "two-minute" drill because they run a hurry-up offense every play of every game. And they still had three timeouts.

 

They also had Jordan Vazzano.

 

And when Vazzano connected with Lars Pedersen on a 42-yard touchdown as time expired, the Cadets had a stunning 36-34 victory at Alumni Field in the first meeting between the once-fierce rivals in 20 years.

 

"It was definitely the most exciting play of my career," said Vazzano, who might still be saying that 50 years from now.

 

"I've never experienced anything like this in my life," St. Joseph coach Joe Della Vecchia added. "After the (Prep) kickoff, I just said (to the offense), `Let's go, you know what to do.' You never know what might happen."

 

At St. Joseph, the saying actually goes, "With Jordan Vazzano, you never know what might happen."

 

Fairfield Prep found that out the hard way. The Jesuits had been outplayed for three quarters before rallying from a 30-14 deficit on a touchdown run by Nick Crowle and two by quarterback Colton Smith.

 

"We showed great heart," Prep coach Tom Shea said. "We fought back. But (10) penalties hurt us earlier."

 

Now trailing by four, the rather large stage -- Alumni Field was overflowing with fans and this was one of the state's greatest rivalries until their last meeting in 1993 -- was now set for Vazzano.

 

"Jordan really came into his own tonight," Della Vecchia said of the senior who, the coach believes, has been under-recruited by top colleges so far. "I think (recruiters) will have to take a long, hard look to see what they've been missing."

 

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Vazzano completed 29 of 45 passes for 379 yards and five touchdowns. His top receiver was Shane Miller hauled in 11 balls for 180 yards and three scores. Pedersen (6-180) had two TDs including the game-winner.

 

"I ran my route and Jordan threw a perfect ball," Pederson said of the final play.

 

The junior separated himself from Prep defender Jake Buckley at the goal line after making contact with him, grabbing the ball and sending the Cadet sideline into total jubilation.

 

"Jordan put it up there and Lars leaned on (Buckley) like he is supposed to," Della Vecchia added.

 

Many Prep fans were screaming for an interference penalty, but not Shea.

 

"I can't comment on any call," he said. "We should have made the play, that's all."

 

The Prep defense held the Cadets to 82 yards on the ground but 53 came on an end-around TD run by Pedersen that seemed to seal the deal late in the third quarter.

 

Joe Ganim led Prep with 108 rushing yards and Smith added 94.

 

Smith also threw for 137 yards.

 

ST. JOSEPH...............................6 12 12 6--36

 

FAIRFIELD PREP.........................0 7 7 20--34

 

SJ--Shane Miller, 15 pass Jordan Vazzano (kick failed)

 

FP--Andrew Vegliante, 5 run (Sean Morrison kick)

 

SJ--Miller, 18 pass Vazzano (pass failed)

 

SJ--Lars Pedersen, 6 pass Vazzano (pass failed)

 

SJ--Miller, 78 pass Vazzano (kick failed)

 

FP--John Delisanti, 18 pass Anthony Johnson (Morrison kick)

 

SJ--Miller, 53 run (kick failed)

 

FP--Nicholas Crowle, 1 run (pass failed)

 

FP--Colton Smith, 37 run (Morrison kick)

 

FP--Smith, 10 run (Morrison kick)

 

SJ--Pedersen, 42 pass from Vazzano (no PAT)

 

Records: St. Joseph 2-0, Fairfield Prep 1-1