Springfield CYO football suffers first loss to St. Denis

Mike Conran hauls in a Liam McKnight pass to set up SFA’s first touchdown.

SFA Junior Varsity
SFA 12, St. Denis 16
The St. Francis of Assisi (SFA) fifth- and sixth-grade football team suffered their first defeat of the year to St. Denis in a hard fought battle at Paddock Park in Havertown. The 16-12 loss dropped SFA’s record to 4-1.
SFA jumped out to a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter on a Nicky Kutufaris one-yard plunge into the end zone. A Liam McKnight-to-Mike Conran 34-yard hook up down to the five yard line set up the touchdown. The extra point attempt was blocked.
Midway through the second quarter, St. Denis took the lead by connecting on a couple of long pass plays, including one for the tying score. St. Denis then converted the crucial extra point for an 8-6 lead. St. Denis then capitalized on a SFA turnover, scoring a touchdown on the last play of the half. The extra point kick was good once again and St. Denis took a 16-6 lead into halftime.
SFA clawed their way back into the game when McKnight executed a picture perfect 22-yard scoring strike to N. Kutufaris late in the third quarter. The extra point attempt failed but SFA closed the gap to 16-12. However, despite a couple more opportunities on offense, SFA could not generate the go ahead touchdown.
SFA’s defense allowed their first points of the season in the second quarter, but then stiffened in the second half and allowed only one first down.
Leading tacklers were Justin Shields, Johnny Powers, Marty O’Connell, Tommy Kutufaris, Derek Strain, Adam Klein, Patrick Divine, Mike Conran, Connor Crawford, Cole Dumont and N. Kutufaris. Dumont also recovered a fumble.
SFA will celebrate homecoming on Saturday at Church Road Field versus Our Lady of Fatima. Varsity will play at 10 a.m. with the JV to follow around noon. All are welcome, especially alumni of the SFA football/cheerleading programs.