ORLANDO — Fending off a fourth quarter rally, St. Edward's defeated Orlando Christian Prep 30-28 in the SSAC Coastal League semifinal Friday night from Warrior Field.

St. Edward's will host top-seeded Windermere Prep next week in the SSAC Coastal League championship game. 

“They're a physical team, but I was really proud of the way our boys stepped up,” St. Edward's head coach Bill Motta said. “We kind of got knocked around a little bit. We hadn't been use to that, but they didn't fold or give up, which they could've done.

“That's the mark of true character, a good sportsman and good football players.”

After trailing 30-14 entering the fourth quarter, the Warriors (6-3) had a chance to tie the score when Isaiah Rodriguez touchdown run from a yard out with 4:38 remaining. But St. Edward's defense stiffened, stopping scrambling Warrior quarterback Conner Marchionda well short of the goal line on a two-point conversion attempt. 

Facing a fourth-and-six in Warriors territory with two minutes left, Brian Minella sealed the game with an incredible 10-yard reception. Minella, making the catch two yards short of the first down, powered through multiple tacklers for the extra yardage.

“Just had to do what was needed and get the job done,” Minella said.

“I couldn't say more about that kind of effort,” Motta said on Minella’s catch. “That's an effort you don't see very often.”

The Pirates (6-3) led throughout, building as large as a 17-point lead thanks to special teams. 

Daniel Walsh scored on a 70 yard kickoff return touchdown while Owen Kenney once pinned the Warriors inside their own two yard line with a great punt.

The Pirates started three first half drives inside Warrior territory.

“You don't win a game like this without having all three phases of the game clicking,” Motta said. “Owen did a really good job.”