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Neumann-Goretti takes down Archbishop Carroll on senior night

Tagged under: District 12, Game Photos-Videos, News

| September 27, 2025

A’mar Woodson scores two en route to Neumann’s victory

Neumann-Goretti made a statement on Friday night, taking down the Patriots of Archbishop Carroll 32-12.

Coming into the game, the Patriots had everything going for them as it was their senior night, and the homecoming game, leading to a packed attendance of Carroll faithful.

Here are my thoughts prior to Friday nights kickoff.

Archbishop Carroll won the toss and elected to defer to the second half, and the Saints would have first ball.

Neumann-Goretti took their first drive slow and steady, implementing the rush and getting everyone involved. Archbishop Carroll played solid defense and put the Saints in a 4th down scenario, but unfortunately for the Patriots, a penalty set Neumann-Goretti up with the first down. Neumann-Goretti did not capitalize on this penalty and had to punt it away nonetheless.

Archbishop Carroll made the decision to start sophomore transfer Haleem Johnson at Quarterback rather than senior Chris Sponbourgh. The Patriots would get very little positive yardage on their first drive of the game and punted it away as well.

The Saints got the ball back and opted right back into the run game, rushing out the remaining time in the first quarter before they put themselves in fantastic field position to start the second. Neumann-Goretti rushed the ball all the way down to the one before punching it in with 11:11 remaining in the first half. A’mar Woodson was the Saint that broke free and found the endzone. The Saints elected to go for two, a common theme that showed up throughout the course of the game, and it was successful. Carter Bashir found himself wide open in the endzone, and the Saints led 8-0.

Archbishop Carroll then went three and out in their next drive and punted it away to the Saints once more.

The mistakes for both teams continued to pile on as the Saints threw a terrible ball that was intercepted by Archbishop Carroll’s Caesar Richardson. Richardson took it all the way down into the red zone.

Unfortunately for the Patriots, the field goal that they had to settle for after gaining no progress on three plays prior was no good.

Following the missed field goal, Neumann-Goretti began driving and never looked back. The drive, spearheaded by Makhi Mitchell and A’mar Woodson, took up the majority of the remaining time in the second quarter. The Saints capped off the drive with a monstrous touchdown from Makhi Mitchell, who powered his way into the endzone. Neumann-Goretti decided to go for the 2-point conversion once more and capitalized. The Saints now led 16-0 over Archbishop Carroll.

Archbishop Carroll did not score with the remaining time in the half, and the Saints led 16-0.

Here were my thoughts at halftime of Friday night’s contest.

Coming out of the halftime and senior night festivities, Archbishop Carroll gave the reins to Chris Sponbourgh, who now had the job of leading a comeback.

The Patriots’ first drive did not go as planned, and they punted it away after three plays.

Following the Carroll punt, both teams began to score at a high level.

Neumann-Goretti started the chain with a deep ball to Nate Dwornick, who took it down to the one-yard line. The Patriots did hold their own and strung together a huge defensive stop, holding the Saints to three. Neumann-Goretti now led 19-0 with 6:44 remaining in the third quarter.

Carroll punted it away on their next drive but got the ball right back following a Neumann-Goretti fumble. The Fumble set the Patriots up in prime field position, with time dwindling in the third quarter. Carroll took it all the way down to the one-yard line and brought out Haley Johnson to attempt a QB sneak with less than 40 seconds left on the clock. The first sneak did not cross the plane, and Carroll had to rush in order to get another play off before the quarter ended. The second sneak from the Patriots on fourth down was a touchdown, but due to a false start, the Patriots had to back up. Neumann-Goretti accepted the false start, and Carroll got another chance. Sponbourgh fired a beautiful pass into the back endzone and found Tyty Mattison for a Patriots touchdown. The extra point was no good, and Carroll trailed 19-6 with a fresh clock.

Neumann-Goretti got the ball back and immediately scored a bang-bang play. Dwornick powered his way into the endzone, and the Saints led 25-6.

Archbishop Carroll immediately looked for the big shot, a ball that could get them right back in the game, and they found just that. Chris Sponbourgh launched it downfield and found a wide-open Jayden Walters, who trotted into the endzone for a Patriots score. The 2-point conversion was no good, and Carroll trailed 25-12 with a good chunk of time remaining in the 4th quarter.

Neumann-Goretti continued the run game in the fourth quarter and tacked on another rushing touchdown with 4 minutes remaining in the game. This score was just the icing on the cake, and Neumann-Goretti led 32-12.

Archbishop Carroll turned the ball over one last time before the Saints sealed the deal, landing them their first PCL victory and a statement one at that.

Here were my thoughts post-game.

After the game, I got a chance to chat with Neumann-Goretti running back A’mar Woodson. Woodson scored twice in Neumann’s victory and bolstered the Saints in every way.

 

 

 

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