E.D. White High School came up just short in their second championship appearance in four years.

Archbishop Shaw High School captured the Division II Select championship 28-25 on Friday, Dec 13.

The close loss ends the careers of the winningest senior class in E.D. White history that ended their senior year in the manner they ended their freshman year, with a state championship appearance.

“Unfortunately it didn’t go our way either time, but we got the best out of those kids,” E.D. White head coach Kyle Lasseigne said. “That’s a great sign for a senior class. They have done everything they possibly can to set an example for our underclassmen.”

E.D. White began the game swinging, squashing the Shaw offense on the opening drive before a long touchdown drive. 

The strong, early performance left Shaw head coach Hank Tierney admittedly worried.

“The thought in my mind was that we were in big trouble,” Tierney said.

A third down stop on the second E.D. White possession would flip the momentum, leading to Shaw touchdowns on the following two possessions. An E.D. White touchdown between the Shaw drives ended the half in a 14-14 draw.

A scoreless third quarter followed, E.D. White breaking the draw with nine minutes remaining on a field goal, taking a 17-14 lead.

Shaw responded quickly, scoring in just two plays on the following drive to claim a 21-17 lead, its first of the game. 

E.D. White quarterback Grant Barbera fumbled the ball on the ensuing E.D. White drive, giving Shaw the ball in E.D. White territory. Shaw quickly scored the game winning touchdown, increasing its lead to 28-17.

Barbera stayed calm despite the turnover and returned the favor, leading E.D. White to a touchdown on its final possession. He went 7-8 passing for 72 yards on the drive before handing the ball off to Jonathon Lee for a touchdown run.

His calm nature, Lasseigne said, is why he started this season.

“I called Barbera in my office last spring and I told him he was the man and I knew that because I had seen him as a 10th grader,” Lasseigne said. “He didn’t get a lot of snaps, but he made the right decisions.

“When you run the triple option you have to make really good decisions. When you throw the ball just enough to stay in games you have to make good decisions, that’s what he does. He’s the coolest player I’ve ever coached and he never gets rattled for anything.”

Despite the loss of an impressive senior class, Lasseigne is confident that he will get his team back to the championship game and eventually win it.

“If we keep getting back here, I think one day we carry the trophy out,” Lasseigne said. “But I’m gonna walk out of here proud of this effort and proud of these kids.”