True believers

Believe.

Call it the word of the season for the Ss. John Neumann-Maria Goretti football team. The players and coaches even have the word stamped across the back of their new gray T-shirts.

For the Saints, it’s more than a word, it’s an attitude. The attitude being they can make a miraculous turnaround from last year’s 2-10 season, where the team scored a total of 134 points.

"I am one of those people who strongly believes in the power of positive thinking," coach Steve Smith said. "If you work hard and prepare, you definitely can achieve what you believe in."

The Saints displayed their positive powers Saturday afternoon with a convincing 19-0 win over North Catholic in Wildwood, N.J. Unlike last summer’s 15-12 loss at the annual Beach Bowl, Smith is hoping this win is a sign of better things to come.

"By winning [the North Catholic game] in [as a] convincing fashion as we did, it shows that the kids believe in the system," Smith said.

The Saints got two big plays from senior running back Hiram Bowman, who scored two touchdowns, one on a 46-yard run and another on a 42-yard punt return. Junior running back Anthony Davis scored the other touchdown and finished with a game high of 98 rushing yards.

The Saints enter the season with 25 seniors, giving them an edge in experience. Senior wide receiver Chuck French said having that leadership makes a difference.

"We’ve all been playing for a couple years and know what to do and what the game atmosphere is like," said French, who caught two balls for 22 yards Saturday. "We are more ready to play."

"We were hyped up for North Catholic, as we didn’t want to lose in front of our fans. We wanted to show people that we are a good team and hope they follow us through the season."

THE SAINTS ARE counting on several athletes to help cure those 2004 scoring woes. Junior quarterback Mark Hatty, who played a back-up role last season, said he is comfortable running the Saints Wing-T offense.

"I am used to the offense because I played it in grade school with the Two Street Warriors [Catholic Youth Organization team]," he said. "In the CYO, I had to get rid of the ball a lot quicker. Now, I can take my time and look for my receivers more."

Junior running back Mark McPherson, Davis, who rushed for 255 yards last season, and Bowman along with senior tight end Anthony Love are all expected to be key factors on offense. Seniors Dominic Orlando and Ernie Cimadamore will provide the blocking up front.

Linebackers Ryan Howlett and Richard Allen, defensive tackle Barry Canady, defensive end Joseph Mike "J. Mike" Francesco and cornerback Dane Davis, all seniors, are some of the Saints defensive leaders. Having 6-foot-7, 395-pound senior John Gamble also should be an asset.

Allen said the team is coming together on both sides of the ball with players taking a much more serious approach to the season.

"A lot of teams looked down on us last year and blew us out," the linebacker said. "We want to earn respect this year."

After a year hiatus, Neumann-Goretti is hoping to make it back to the Catholic League Blue playoffs.

"It’s always [a] goal to win a championship. That’s why we play the game," French said. "We have to keep practicing hard and everything will fall into place."

Saturday’s upcoming non-league game against Bartram and a Sept. 17 contest against Episcopal Academy will serve as the final tune-ups before the Sept. 24 Catholic League season-opener at Kennedy-Kenrick.

From there, the Saints will encounter their toughest stretch with home games against Archbishop Carroll (Oct. 1), Archbishop Wood (Oct. 8), Conwell-Egan (Oct. 15) and an Oct. 22 game at West Catholic.

"There are no easy games on our schedule," Smith said. "We have to work harder than other teams, move the ball and get good field positions."

If the Saints ever doubt their abilities, all the players and coaches need to do is look at the back of their shirts.

"I think these kids believe they are doing the right thing and working as hard as they possibly can because last season left a sour taste in their mouths," Smith said.

KEY GAMES

Oct. 8 Archbishop Wood Home 1 p.m.
Facing the defending back-to-back Catholic League Blue champs will be a good test for how much the Saints have improved. After losing last year’s meeting, 27-0, the Saints will look to make a better showing this time around. "As long as Wood keeps winning championships, we have to put them on top," Smith said.

Oct. 22 West Catholic Away 2 p.m.
This is one of the Catholic League’s biggest rivalries as the schools are separated by only two exits on the Schuylkill. In 2004, the Burrs, with the help of several Neumann transfers, finished the regular season with an 8-0 mark and advanced to their third straight Catholic League Blue title game. The two squads have enjoyed their share of memorable battles, including the historic 2002 Catholic League Blue semifinal contest West Catholic won 55-48. The teams broke the record for highest-scoring game in the city’s history.

Nov. 24 Southern Away 10:30 a.m.
This game has been highlighted on the Saints schedule since last year. That day, the Rams shocked Neumann-Goretti with a 30-26 win, making it Southern’s first in the Thanksgiving Day rivalry since 1989. The Catholic League squad still holds a commanding 49-19-3 lead in the holiday series that dates back to 1934.