Springfield CYO Football

SFA Junior Varsity

St. Denis 25

SFA 0

The St. Francis of Assisi (SFA) fifth and sixth grade football team split a pair of games against undefeated teams over the past two weeks, losing their first game of the season to St. Denis and then rebounding to defeat Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) in a thrilling come-from-behind victory. The difference in the two games was "night and day", as SFA could not generate any momentum against St. Denis under the lights at Haverford Reserve on a chilly Friday night, but then reverted back to form in their normal time slot on Saturday afternoon to defeat OLMC. SFA's record now stands at 7-1.

SFA 13

OLMC 7

Midway through the second quarter Kyle Long burst free on a counter play and raced 51 yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt failed but SFA was on top 6-0. The lead was short lived, however, as OLMC used the long pass game to tie the game and take a 7-6 lead with the PAT.

OLMC dominated the third quarter until Andrew Pickett intercepted a pass at the two-yard line to thwart a drive, and the offense took over on the two-yard line.

SFA then could not convert their own fourth down attempt, and the defense was back on the field with OLMC again knocking at the door on the ten-yard line; however, David Strawley recovered a fumble on the five-yard line to again thwart OLMC.

Undaunted by the amount of field ahead of them, SFA patiently prodded forward until they reached the end zone. Greg Tamaccio, Andrew Paulus, Pickett and Long alternated carries down the field, but the key play in the drive was a 28-yard pass from Connor Ringwalt to Paulus. Then with 20 seconds left Ringwalt connected with Tamaccio for a game-winning score. Ringwalt hooked up again with Paulus to convert the extra point and a 13-7 SFA victory.

Linemen Nick Matty, Chris Delaney, Strawley, Chris Alfonsi, Joey Radico, Jared Morris, Kevin McKeon and Jerry Curran battled hard during the long drive and neutralized their bigger opponents.

Leading tacklers for SFA were McKeon, Paulus, Strawley, Pickett, Tamaccio, Michael Ward, Long, Morris, Curran, Matt Reis and Connor Sadoff.

SFA will enter the playoffs as the second seeded team from the South Division, and will play St. Jerome, the first place team from the East Division, on Sunday afternoon at Church Road Field. Game time is 2:30.

Holy Cross Junior Varsity

Holy Cross 40

St. Francis de Sales 6

Another exciting win for the Crusaders last Friday night under the lights in beautiful downtown Westbrook Park.

Tommy Toal led the offense with his powerful arm connecting on two passes for touchdowns to Brian O'Neill and Ethan Cook.

The offensive line again smashed holes into the St. Francis de Sale's defense. opening gapping holes as the backs ran free. Bill Issertell, Zach Venit, Frank Leahan, Ian Reger, and Jason Estep led the way for offensive backs; Chaz Hunter, Christian Lane, and John Henderson helped to carve up de Sales for 40 points.

In every possible part of the game, Holy Cross ran away with the game shutting down St. Francis' offense for only six points. Ryan Harlow led the defense as he and teammates John Hally, Jake Gindhart, Daulton Dephillipo, and Nate Lohr stifled St. Francis and jumped on missed opportunities by St. Francis.

Pitching in on a first class effort were Kevin Deal, Anthony Torrelli, John Taylor, Nate Shimkutis and Nick Kurko.

Holy Cross primed its team for the playoffs, which will begin this Friday night (field not yet determined). While Holy Cross awaits it's next opponent for the Division playoffs, the offense seems to be churning along like a juggernaut and the Holy Cross defense has the ability to shut down what seems like any offense.