Pats fall to Neumann-Goretti 28-0, as backup QB steps in
Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
Mike Livingston | October 21, 2023
PHILADELPHIA. PA – It was a rough afternoon of football in South Philadelphia for Archbishop Carroll, Saturday, as the Patriots fell to the Saints of Neumann-Goretti, 28-0.
Due to behavioral and academic violations, nearly 25% of the Patriots roster was left ineligible for the weekend’s game. Most notably, leaving star freshman quarterback Jay Boyd out of the lineup and paving the way for sophomore, backup Chris Sponburgh to make the start.
The shorthanded Patriots had their hands full from the get-go as the Saints ran in a 60-yard touchdown just two plays into their opening drive to make it 8-0 Neumann early.
Then came the Carroll offense, led by Sponburgh, who on his first varsity drive, marched his Patriots downfield and into field goal range. Kicker Gavin Wray would however shank his attempt left leaving the score, 8-0.
On another quick-hitting drive, it was the passing game that got going for Neumann as the Saints completed a 70-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 at the end of the end of the first quarter.
After a few punts back and forth, the Saints regained possession and ran the ball down the Pats throats. Following a couple hard runs, Neumann ran it in making the score 20-0 Saints.
As halftime loomed, the Pats regained possession, Sponburgh connected with senior running back Hassan Bailey and senior wide receiver Jesse Ventre for back-to-back first downs, as Carroll looked to gain some momentum. Though following a 10-yard sack, and a couple incompletions, it was bound to be another punt for the Pats who went into halftime trailing 20-0.
It was Carroll ball to begin the second half, and following a personal foul the Patriots had the ball up at the 43-yard line. Though on second down, junior center Zach Jacobs snapped the ball passed quarterback James Wright to give the Pats 3rd and 26, the drive would subsequently end with another punt.
The next drive for Neumann saw one of the few bright spots for the Patriots as senior defensive back Too Jemawhou picked off a Saint’s pass, setting up yet another Carroll opportunity and yet another Carroll punt.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Saints topped off their day with another touchdown. This time a 20-yard pass over the middle to make it 28-0 Neumann.
The Pats had one last chance to drive downfield and were able to march all the way to the 50-yard line before an errant Sponburgh pass fell into the arms of a Neumann defender, all but ending the afternoon.
“It was basically just like, I gotta step up, become a better leader,” a humble Sponburgh said. “I gotta, definitely look at the playbook more and just step up altogether.”
Sponburgh’s performance was unquestionably nothing to scoff at, going against the Catholic League’s blue division, champions. Not to mention, runner-ups to the state championship last season, Neumann-Goretti boasts one of the most feared defenses in the city. For a sophomore, seeing his first varsity minutes, being thrown into the fire, the 2nd stringer performed adequately. That was reflected by his teammates and coach’s reactions postgame.
“Chris, yeah, overcoming adversity, getting thrown into the fire, he held us up,” said Carroll head coach Kyle Detweiler. “You could see there’s some flashes of the potential he has, we’re excited, he’s only a Sophmore, I think you can see he got better as the game went on, he had some command in the pocket. He was standing in under pressure and delivering some catchable balls.”
“The young kid did well,” said director of football operations Mark Mounayar. “I think he just had the one turnover there at the end, so hopefully he leads the competition at the position going forward.”
With the loss, the Patriots fall to 3-6 on the season, and 1-5 in Catholic League action. The club will head home next Friday to wrap up the season with senior night against Conwell-Egan for a 7 p.m. kickoff at the Conshohocken “A” Field.
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