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Neumann Goretti Saints miraculously earn a state title berth (Gallery included)

Tagged under: District 12, District 3, Gameday Hub, News, Playoffs

| December 3, 2022

The morning was filled with rain and high winds but by noon roughly an hour before kickoff the sun began peaking out and the rain began to subside while the winds increased at times. The Wyomissing Spartans traveled with quite a few fans and family members nicely filling the visiting stands. Neumann Goretti stands in the beginning were light but filled in nicely by mid first quarter.

The Saints would get the opening possession and started off great with star RB Shawn Battle gaining 11 yards on his first two carries  producing a 1st down. They struggled to move the chains and on 4th down the Spartan defense stepped up and forced a turnover on downs deep in NG territory. On the Spartan first possession they’d stumble and also turn the ball over on downs after gambling going for it on 4th down. The game remained scoreless until 1:09 left in the 1st quarter when Wyomissing Jr WR Ethan Browers skillfully pulled in a 4th down reception to extend the drive and give the Spartans 1st and goal from the 9 yard line. They would go on to punch it in on a 6 yard run by Drew Eisenhower to take a 7-0 lead with 1:09 left in the 1st quarter.

 

The Saints would go three and out and give the ball back to the Spartans and the score remained 7-0 until 4:06 left in the 2nd quarter when Sr kicker Ian Levering drilled a 14 yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0. The Saints finally got on the board when Shawn Battle, on an inside rush, broke free from would be tackles and raced into the end zone on a 52 yard score to pull the Saints within 10-8 at the half.

The third quarter produced jarring hits from both teams with physical tough football. Chippiness would result Shawn Battle picking up an unnecessary roughness penalty and an ejection which put NG in a bind. The ensuing possession freshman running back Terrence Page who many thought was down by contact would fumble the ball giving Wyomissing great field position however the defense stood strong and the score would remain 10-8 until 2:01 in the 4th quarter when the Saints would take their first lead of the day on Khi Bradley’s TD to give them a 14-10 lead. On the Spartans ensuing possession they would lean on the passing game where they’d find success and QB Ben Zechman found Charlie McIntyre for a TD for a 17-14 lead with just :34 seconds remaining.

The Saints after advancing the kick to the 38 yard line would March their way downfield with a few out passes mixed in with a time out. Coach Albie would call his final time out and draw up a play in which Sr Qaasim would seemingly find himself in a hero position if he could make the play. QB Mekhi Wharton who after Battle went out began using his legs to extend drives would throw a perfect pass and Qaasim found an opening and made the catch of his life with a 44 yard TD reception with only 8 seconds remaining. The Saints players both on the field and on the sideline would rush the end zone in celebration drawing a unsportsmanlike penalty which made the conversion attempt difficult and thus it failed. Wyomissing had one last opportunity after returning the kick leaving one second on the game clock. They would attempt an Hail Mary that was intercepted however pass interference was called leading to one more play in which NG bottled up the receiver and the game was over with the Saints marching in victory onto their first ever state title game appearance.

Coach Albie, his players and staff all won this game for his mother. Albie lost his mother just a few weeks ago on November 12th and admits it’s been a rough time for he and his family. Coincidentally today is his beloved mothers birthday and be believes she was with the Saints today helping lead them to victory. The game winning play was actually drawn up by Albie during his final time out when he noticed the alignment of the safety and the other defensive backs. The team had run it early in the season and tucked it away which helped as Wyomissing didn’t see that on film more than likely. He referred to Qaasim Major as a silent weapon and contributor to the teams success this year. He mentioned more than once that he was proud of not just the football players these kids are but the young men they are.

Junior QB Mekhi Wharton after Battle went out put his team on his back with huge conversions in the air and with his feet. When asked about the game winning play he spilled the beans on Albie drawing up the play on the fly during a time out. He believes this team is very close and the brotherhood and love they share for one another shows in their play on game days. Prior to this game he had little interest from college coaches however that was a big time throw that will lead to many coaches inquiring about his services.

Sr WR Qaasim Major coming into this game had 9 receptions on the year. He is the ultimate team player who does whatever is needed to win. He thanked his offensive lineman for stepping up giving Mekhi time to let the play develop. He also mentioned that this win was for the players who graduated last season and couldn’t wait to let them know “we won for you”. With regards to next weekend he simply stated we will practice hard all week and be prepared for our opponent when we hit the field.

For the Spartans lineman J’ven Williams was very instrumental in their success on the ground as he was very agile. Running back Drew Eisenhower was elusive in the open field. The Spartans played a turnover free game and if not for a miraculous score they’d be playing next weekend. They traveled very well as their stands were decently filled.

 

Neumann Goretti will face Belle Vernon on Saturday at 1pm for the 3A title

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