Springfield CYO Football

St. Francis Junior Varsity

St. Jerome 13

SFA 12

The St. Francis (SFA) fifth- and sixth-grade football team lost their opening round playoff game in an overtime shoot out to St. Jerome 13-12. SFA’s record fell to 7-2.

SFA scored the only points of the first half when Andrew Pickett broke loose for a 14-yard touchdown on a fourth down play late in the second quarter. The extra point kick hit the cross bar but bounced the wrong way and SFA led 6-0 at half.

St. Jerome tied the score on their opening drive of the second half. The extra point attempt failed and the score was tied 6-6.

The remainder of the game was played in St. Jerome’s territory, but SFA could not capitalize and neither team would score again in regulation.

The final outcome of the game was decided in an overtime format, with each team getting a chance to score from the opponent’s ten-yard line. SFA converted immediately on their first play when Andrew Paulus burst off tackle for a touchdown. The extra point attempt failed.

St. Jerome then scored on a controversial fourth down and two, made the extra point, and emerged victorious in a hard fought battle.

Holy Cross Junior Varsity

Holy Cross 13

Sacred Heart 0

Holy Cross (HC) defeated Sacred Heart 13-0 last Friday night under the lights at Bonner. It was a great defensive showing by the entire team to get a victory in the first round of the playoffs.

On the first drive of the game, the HC offense marched right down the field and score early. Chaz Hunter crossed the goal line to put up six, quarterback Tommy Toal connected with Ethan Cook to get the extra point.

HC defense took over and shut down Sacred Heart. Huge defensive showing by Christian Lane and Johnny Hally, and a key sack by John Henderson set the tone for the game defensively.

Toal scored the next touchdown seeing that his offense was well covered by a big Sacred Heart defense.

Key defensive players: Daulton DiPhillipo, Ryan Harlow, Jake Gindhart, Nick Kurko, Jason Estep, Zach Venit and Ian Reger.

Always putting forth great effort: Brian O'Neill, John Taylor, Kevin Deal, Nate Lohr, Bill Issertell and Nate Shimkutis.

Holy Cross will play St. Gabe's Sunday, the field and time will be determined later.

A win this coming week will put HC in the Parade of Champions.