Syracuse Football Recruit Makes A Game-Winning Hail Mary Catch for CBA-Syracuse in State Final

With the final seconds winding off the clock, Darien Williams hauled in a tip ball in the end zone, lifting his team to victory and a state championship

Syracuse CBA-Syracuse's Darien Williams looks in a touchdown catch during a 40-0 win over Elmira in October. He made a more incredible, Hail Mary, grab in the final seconds of Saturday's Section III championship game, lifting CBA to a 40-35 win over CBA-Albany. | Andrew Legare/Elmira Star-Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A Class of 2025 Syracuse University football recruit made a miraculous catch for Section III’s Christian Brothers Academy in the Class AA state championship game on Saturday.

CBA-Syracuse was down 40-35 to Section II’s CBA-Albany with a few seconds left in regulation.

As the clock struck zero, senior Darien Williams — a star receiver for CBA-Syracuse and soon-to-be student-athlete of the Orange — made a game-winning, 35-yard touchdown reception off a Hail Mary pass in his future home at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The catch guided CBA-Syracuse to a thrilling 41-40 victory and its second-straight state title.

Here it is: the Hail Mary touchdown to win back-to-back Class AA state titles for @CBASyrFootball. Brayden Smith lobs it up as time expires. @CuseFootball commit Darien Williams snags it in the endzone to win it.

How about that for a highlight @SportsCenter 🔥🔥@NewsChannel9 pic.twitter.com/g4aMCkg3GJ

— Maddie (@m_mustion) December 8, 2024

The play for CBA-Syracuse began with Brayden Smith, the team’s senior quarterback. Smith set himself from the shotgun formation and unloaded a deep throw to the endzone.

The throw went over the heads of multiple CBA-Albany defenders and into the hands of Williams for the game-clinching score.

Williams recorded six catches for 107 yards. Smith was 17-of-30 on completions for 214 yards and two TDs.

Williams capped the 2024 season with 44 receptions, 818 receiving yards and 10 TDs. 

After finishing his high school career on a high note, Williams’ sights are now set on SU.

A three-star recruit, Williams committed to the Orange on March 16. He officially signed with the program on Dec. 4.

Williams’ fellow CBA-Syracuse teammates — Dante Bacheyie and Matt Hawn — will also join SU as football recruits next season.

Williams received offers from Penn State, Colorado, Pitt, Boston College, Temple and UMass before choosing the Orange.

CBA-Syracuse concluded its campaign with a 15-0 record. CBA-Albany finished its season at 15-1.