"It's been 10 years since we beat them," Bonner fifth-year coach Tom Oropeza said. "When you don't beat your rival for 10 years, that can wear on you."
Junior quarterback Jim Haley sparked the Friars on offense, rushing for 60 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. In the fourth quarter, on a keeper through the heart of O'Hara's defense, he dashed 33 yards to put the hosts in front, 20-6.
"He's a smart quarterback, a great playmaker," said Womack, a senior wideout and cornerback. "He sees the entire field very well. We believe in him and him taking us to the next level."
Early in the second quarter, Haley capped a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive with a 4-yard keeper. Later, on a right-side fade, he delivered a 25-yard TD pass to Womack to give Bonner a 14-0 advantage at the break.
"After 5 yards, I knew I had my defender [Tarron Dunbar] beat," the 6-foot-3, 160-pound Womack said. "After he turned his hips and opened up, I knew I had him."
In the first half, when Haley hit on 7 of 11 throws for 105 yards, the Friars (4-3, 1-0) limited the Lions (4-2, 1-0) to 52 yards rushing and 25 passing.
"We watched a lot of film during the week," Bonner senior middle linebacker Sean Ferry said. "The coaches did a great job of preparing us for what O'Hara was going to try to do. We were ready."
The Friars again played without senior running back Ismir Gibson (hamstring injury). Tailback Abraham Jaward (18 carries for 73 yards) and fullback Ferry (nine for 50) supported Haley.
Bonner's offensive line paved the way for 181 rushing yards. It included center and West Catholic transfer Dom DiGalbo, guards Tyler Ramirez and Ron Scull, tackles Angelo Masorli and Thomas Murta, and tight end Joe Haley, Jim's brother.
"Up front, that's probably the best offensive line Bonner has had in 10 years," O'Hara coach Danny Algeo said. "They did a nice job of moving bodies."
The Lions closed the gap to 20-13 on Dashawn Darden's 5-yard, left-side toss to Damiere Shaw with 1 minute, 25 seconds to play. The late rally died when Paul Pfeffinger secured Steve Weyler's onside kick.
Cardinal O'Hara 0 0 6 7 – 13
Monsignor Bonner 0 14 0 6 – 20
MB: Jim Haley 4 run (Sean Ferry pass from Haley)
MB: Erick Womack 25 pass from Jim Haley (pass failed)
CO: Watkins 25 pass from Dashawn Darden (kick failed)
MB: Haley 33 run (run failed)
CO: Damiere Shaw 5 pass from Darden (Steve Weyler kick)
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019, robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter. Read his blog, "The O'Zone," at www.philly.com/ozone
