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topicnews · August 31, 2024

Ave Maria? Or just an exciting play? Let us know what you think.

Ave Maria? Or just an exciting play? Let us know what you think.

After Armstrong’s Jah’Kei Chavis caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Breontay Harris as time expired to beat Collegiate 36-32, high school football coaches, ADs and fans in the area called it a “Hail Mary” victory.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch also used the term in its reporting.

Armstrong’s Chavis scores six touchdowns in Wildcats’ Hail Mary win over Collegiate

Merriam-Webster defines Hail Mary as “a long forward pass in football thrown into or near the end zone as a last-ditch attempt to score a point as time expires.”

Call them pedants, call them purists, call them whatever you will – some people say “Ave Maria” is a misnomer.

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How many yards does a pass have to be to be considered “long”?

When many football fans think of a “Hail Mary,” they probably think of someone like Aaron Rodgers or Doug Flutie throwing the ball 35 to 45 yards through the air into the hands of one of their receivers in the end zone.

People also read…

But what about Russell Wilson’s infamous Hail Mary against Golden Tate in 2012? The line of scrimmage for that play was just outside the red zone at Green Bay’s 24-yard line.

Harris’ throw was certainly a last-ditch attempt to score. Time was indeed running out.

Chavis makes a Hail Mary catch to give Armstrong a 36-32 win over Collegiate on August 30, 2024.



Help us end the debate. Was that a Hail Mary?

Or just an exciting game? Watch the video. Watch it again if you need to. And vote in the poll above.

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Jakai Moore (12) of Manchester finds a blocker coming out of the backfield during a high school football game against Highland Springs in Manchester.

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