Defense, Downey's arm carries Saint Joseph football to regional crown over Hobart
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SOUTH BEND ― Dallas Downey still throws a pretty sweet pass.
Just ask his teammate James Criniti.
Downey, a former quarterback now receiver, hit Criniti with a gorgeous 22-yard toss late in the third period Friday, Nov. 14, to help his South Bend Saint Joseph squad claim a Class 4A regional title.
Downey’s toss to Criniti was the difference as the No. 7 Huskies stymied Hobart 10-7 in a defensive slugfest on Father Bly Field in Leighton Stadium at St. Joe.
The St. Joe defense was its usual brilliant self as the Huskies won the program’s first regional title since 2015 and earned the 500th win in program history.
The Huskies (12-1) will play at Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (11-2) in the semi-state contest next Friday, Nov. 21, at a time to be determined. The winner of that game advances to the Class 4A state title tilt on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 3 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
No. 7 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger beat Lebanon 39-27 in their regional game.
Hobart, which was trying to claim its first regional crown since 2020, finishes at 10-3.
Downey, a senior, took a pitch from junior quarterback Sam Scicchitano, then hit junior Criniti with a perfect southpaw sling for a 22-yard scoring strike with 1:41 to play in the third quarter for the deciding score.
“We’ve worked on that play in practice before and they called it and I was like oh shoot we’re going to run it,” explained Criniti. “Dallas threw a beautiful ball. I knew getting in the end zone there was very important in a defensive battle.”
Huskies take the lead with this catch from Criniti! pic.twitter.com/5hbKirtVnf
— South Bend Saint Joe Football (@SaintJoeFB) November 15, 2025
Criniti helped lead a defense that only allowed the Brickies just 99 total yards of offense in a game that included 12 total punts. Hobart only had one second half first down, and that came on a St. Joe pass interference call on the next-to-last play of the game. Criniti, who also plays defensive back, had a key interception in the second half.
“Our defense is special,” Criniti said. “All of us have been best friends for a long time and we’re extremely tight and have a bond. I’ve dreamt of this since I was a little kid.”
The St. Joe defense has allowed 10 or fewer points in nine of its 13 games this season. They entered play Friday night only allowing 8.6 ppg.
“The special sauce with our defense is a staff we have that enjoys being together and challenges each other,” said St. Joe coach Ben Downey after receiving a monster hug from his wife Lindsey and daughter Avery following a huge postgame celebration. “They come up with a plan. That’s the starting point.
“Then our guys have to buy in and execute the plan. They go out and play 100 miles an hour and physical football that is in St. Joe’s DNA.”
The Brickies, who had won their last six games, led 7-3 at halftime. St. Joe took a 3-0 lead on a 36-yard field goal by Ryder Place late in the opening period. The Brickies then got an interception by junior Stephen Miller at the St. Joe 13-yard line. Senior Max Pickett scored on a one-yard run with 7:02 left before halftime for the 7-3 Hobart lead.
The Huskies, who outgained Hobart 217-99, just missed on taking the lead on their opening drive of the second half. The hosts drove to the Hobart 34-yard line, and on a fourth and 10 play just overthrew an open receiver who would have scored.
The St. Joe defense was there, though, to answer every challenge. They forced the Brickies to go three and out on three second half possessions and Criniti had a third-quarter interception. A final desperation pass attempt by the Brickies was knocked down, and the Huskies had the eighth regional title in school history.
Coach Downey admitted that the “trick” play his son worked to perfection had not always been so good in practice.
“Periodically, we work on that play, maybe once every couple of weeks and sometimes in practice we don’t complete it,” said coach Downey. “But it was a gorgeous throw by Dallas. When he was younger (like in fifth grade in grade school) he was naturally a quarterback. But he had no interest in that.”
Dallas, who is St. Joe’s leading receiver, was thankful for the moment.
“I’m just very grateful,” said Dallas Downey of the win. “I saw the play come in and I had to tell James what it was. I got the reverse pitch and saw him wide open and knew I could hit him with it.
“We knew we had the squad that could do this back in the summer. Everyone has bought in during the playoffs. Our defense is legit. They play 100 percent, balls to the wall, all the time.”
Senior Pickett, who entered the game with 1,014 yards, was held to 29 yards on 13 carries. He was averaging 6.5 yards per carry and 126 yards per game prior to Friday night. Junior quarterback Aleks Tatum, who had 837 yards rushing prior to Friday night, had nine carries for just 23 yards.
Coach Downey gave credit to his senior class.
“The growth of our seniors has been huge,” said coach Downey. “They’ve come a long way since they were freshmen. When they were younger, they would pout. Now, they pick each other up.
“And we definitely have some injured seniors that we are playing for. Guys like Franco Biffle, Charles Grewe, Alfred Fultz, Charlie Capps. It’s tough for them not to be able to play right now.”
Sophomore David Waite led the St. Joe offense with 21 carries for 67 yards. Junior Antwone Ross had eight carries for 41 yards.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Saint Joseph beats Hobart IHSAA Class 4A football regional
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