Allison Park, PA - The North Catholic football team won a nail biter over Serra Catholic 49-42 on August 25, at Lt. JC Stone Field. The new and improved Trojans went up against the up-and-coming Eagles in what proved to be a game that was too close for comfort, but a win is a win.
The Trojans were the first to get on the board, and they did so early, with Danny Franco scoring on an 18-yard run that put them up 7-0. This was followed by a defensive stop that forced an Eagles punt but was quickly responded to by the North Catholic offense, who scored again on a perfect pass off play-action by Jason Siket to Gavin Kamody, who pulled it in to put up his team 14-0 just 4 minutes and 3 seconds into the contest. However, the tables quickly turned on the Trojans as Serra Catholic countered with a touchdown of their own 1 minute and 34 seconds later a 64-yard connection from Eagle QB Quadir Stribling to wide receiver Chris Warren. Serra Catholic got the ball back before the end of the quarter and got on the board again, this time on a bubble screen pass to De'reon Washington for 37 yards, and the game was knotted up at 14 all. The Trojans were not to be deterred, as Jack Fennell ripped off a 57-yard touchdown run just 18 seconds later to give North Catholic back the lead 21-14. My friends, this was just the first quarter.
The second quarter began much less eventfully, with several drives resulting in punts to start the quarter. It wasn't until just over the halfway point of the quarter that Serra Catholic forced a fumble and recovered it, which ended a North Catholic drive that had gotten them inside the 5-yard line. From there, the Eagles controlled the play and capitalized upon it with 1 minute and 12 seconds remaining in the first half on a 30-yard pass to running back Mason Jones. With just 1 minute and 5 seconds left on the clock, the Trojans did not seem to have much prospect of regaining the lead before halftime, but they had other plans. Jason Siket looked to his left and roped a 15-yard pass to the 6'6 tight end out of Saint Kilian's Brady O'Hara, who caught the ball and never looked back while running the remaining 60 yards for a 75-yard touchdown on their first play of the drive. North Catholic went into halftime with the lead 28-21.
The 3rd quarter began with North Catholic receiving the football, but they didn't have it for long. On the first play from scrimmage of the half, Jack Fennell flew past the defenders to the house for a 62-yard touchdown run to put his team up 35-21. Serra Catholic, as they had done all night, never gave up. They responded with a 17-play, 65-yard drive that took up 6 minutes and 30 seconds of game clock and ended in a 12-yard curl route pass to De'reon Washington for his 2nd touchdown of the night, 35-28. The gassed Trojans defense didn't get much relief as Serra Catholic got the ball back after the next drive and scored on a 42-yard touchdown pass, on a 3rd and 15, to Washington again, who notched his 3rd touchdown of the night. It was a tie game again, this time at 35-35. The 4th quarter was going to decide the winner.
The final 12 minutes began solemnly, with each time vying for momentum. North Catholic was the first to break through and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run from Jack Fennell, who now had his 3rd touchdown of the night and put his team ahead 42-35. At this point, 7 minutes and 8 seconds remained in regulation. Serra Catholic had a big drive upcoming that, for better or for worse, would decide the direction of the rest of the game. Fortunately for North Catholic, the Trojans were ready to solidify their lead. They did so on a pick-6 interception by Jack Fennell, which ended up being the game's winning touchdown, as it put North Catholic up 49-35, with 2 minutes and 49 seconds remaining. Serra Catholic countered the following drive
with a 44-yard touchdown pass to Jesere Young. However, it was to no avail as the Trojans came out on top with the all-important victory, which gave them a perfect undefeated, 1-0 record on the young season. They will move on this week to play against the Shady Side Academy Bulldogs at 7PM at Michael J. Farrell Stadium.  We hope to see you there!
Additional Notes: North Catholic kicker Rylee Kumer was a perfect 7/7 in her extra-point kicks, which is by far the most times she's kicked in a single game in her career. Jason Siket was 6/14 for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns, with a 94.3 OBR. Jack Fennell ran for 171 yards on 14 carries with 3 touchdowns. Danny Franco ran 6 times for 51 yards total, with a touchdown. Gavin Kamody caught 2 balls for 54 yards and a touchdown. Brady O'Hara caught 3 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. In addition, Roman Sylvester picked up the lone sack for the Trojans on the night.
