Curie's Fleming gutsy in loss

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:58PM

Just like his team this season, Curie quarterback Reese Fleming Jr., was knocked down twice. Fleming and the Condors did make it back, but fell short in their 6-0 loss Friday to Fenwick (8-5) in the Prep Bowl Friday.

"It is really hard right now," said Fleming, who had to be helped off the field twice. "But I had to come back and play, especially for our seniors. We had something special and I didn't want it to end."

After being leveled on a play that resulted in an interception that was returned 85 yards for a touchdown, it appeared that Fleming would not return. But after a series, the junior was back on the field.

"We really need him," Curie coach Tyson LeBlanc said. " He has accounted for over 3,000 yards of offense this year. He is our Willis Reed."

And just like the Knicks' star, Fleming's return to the field seemed to inspire Curie (9-6). Fleming drove the Condors to the Fenwick 25, where his pass to a wide open Chris Grigalunas was dropped. Fleming and Curie regrouped to drive to the Fenwick 8, but the drive stalled when Fleming was sacked.

It was one of five trips that Curie made inside the red zone. The Condors had one touchdown called back on a penalty and fumbled another opportunity away at the Fenwick 9-yard line in the second quarter.

"We had our chances," LeBlanc said. "We just couldn't finish. But I am proud of our team. This is the furthest any Curie team has gone."

And it could be a good start for Curie, which returns Fleming (11 of 15, 131 yards) and running back Kevonta McIntyre (25 carries, 104 yards). McIntyre and Jamell Tambah will anchor a defense that allowed just 154 yards, 66 of which came on two long runs.

"I can't wait to get back and start working for next year," Fleming said. "We started something good here. We want it to continue."

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