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Already assured of their admirers’ allegiance by ending their secondary education site’s 30-year title game appearance drought, the football players from Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., looked to gain immortality Saturday afternoon against their longtime nemesis, the West Catholic Preparatory High School Burrs. Engineering a few fine plays yet committing costly gaffes, the East Passyunk Crossing athletes dropped the Catholic League AA championship contest 34-9 at the South Philadelphia super site, 10th and Bigler streets.
“I know this is a rough moment, but you have no reason to put your heads down,” AA Coach of the Year CJ Szydlik said to his charges, who had advanced to the final by registering a 3-1 division mark, their lone loss coming Oct. 18 against the same foe. “I’m disappointed but I’m also truly proud of you.”
Having advised them not to let any element of the contest spook them, the Northeast Philadelphia dweller had an immediate opportunity to gauge their nerves, as West’s Ahkil Crumpton returned the opening kick 95 yards for a touchdown. The third-highest scoring squad in their five-team division, the Saints proved eager to tally their first points against the now-six-time AA victors since 2010 and approached pay dirt on their first drive courtesy of a 40-yard hookup between junior quarterback Ray Lenhart and senior running back Sihmare Morgan. Having gone only 4-for-17 in Oct. 18’s 18-0 defeat to the Burrs, the signal caller seemed to have more zip on his ball and gave his club a 7-6 edge by finding senior wide receiver and Syracuse University recruit Jamal Custis for a six-yard score.
“Going in, we had a great mindset about handling and beating them,” Morgan, who had accumulated just eight yards on nine carries in last month’s shutout, said. “That touchdown was key but we couldn’t sustain the focus, I think, because we let little things get to us. That’s definitely something to correct going forward.”
The West Philadelphia occupant and his peers soon learned their far-more experienced opponents had no intentions of being trivia answers, as they turned to senior running back Greg White, who entered the clash with 978 yards. Having missed the teams’ initial duel, the speedster capitalized on two scoring carries to take his unit to a 22-7 halftime cushion, with the deficit not sitting well with Morgan.
“What are you laughing about?” he said to his mates as he noticed too much intermission levity. “I’m tired of losing to those guys. They’re laughing at you. Let’s get after them.”
“I want a complete momentum change,” Szydlik, who reiterated his pre-game message for his roster members to “play out of your minds,” said to the teenagers. “I want for you to give me your best in this half.”
With solid field position to begin the third quarter, the Saints advanced to West’s 31-yard line after Morgan hauled in a 28-yard toss from Lenhart. The heavily pro-Neumann-Goretti crowd, whose rooting predecessors celebrated championships in 1948 and ’54 when their heroes played as Southeast Catholic High School and reveled in ’83 when the St. John Neumann Pirates made their way to the final against Father Judge, stirred when sensing this year’s youngsters would make the Burrs feel a bit antsy; however, they needed to check their enthusiasm when the Saints turned the ball over on downs. Their defenders would give Morgan and company another shot only a minute later, but a failed fourth-and-one play resulted in another turnover on downs.
Happy to play the gloom provider on the sunny occasion, White bolted 49 yards for what seemed an energy-draining meeting with the end zone. Essentially needing to rely on the pass to try to mount a comeback, the Saints hoped their able corps of receivers would make major grabs and prolong the suspense. With a sullen tone that probably led fans to recall his voice in their sleep that night, though, the public address announcer continuously had to declare “Pass by Ray Lenhart, incomplete,” with mixed reads, drops and tight defense leading to three more turnovers on downs and an 8-for-35 effort from the passer.
Having accepted the role of the favorite with no hesitation, the Burrs capped the scoring when White, following a safety by the Saints, galloped 30 yards for a touchdown, giving him 170 yards on 20 carries. The final drive by the Saints culminated with Lenhart’s second interception, with the Burrs running out the clock, accepting plaudits and reveling with the championship plaque.
“I asked for all that you had, and if that was it, I’m fine with that,” Szydlik, whose 5-4 squad, already set for its traditional Thanksgiving Day scrum against South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St., will next travel to Sun Valley Nov. 15, said. “Think back on what you’ve accomplished so far. Don’t let today remove that from your minds.”
Though the loss certainly provided them with a dose of dour feelings, Morgan vowed it would not rob them of perspective.
“This is the most excited that people have been for us in years,” the soon-to-be-graduate, who is considering Temple University, said. “We just have to stay focused. For many people, that’s easier said than done but won’t be for us.”
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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