Neumann-Goretti's DiFrancesco is on a football mission

Before deciding to concentrate on football, Michael DiFrancesco was part of Neumann-Goretti's 2012-13 basketball squad that went 23-6 and captured a fifth consecutive Catholic League title.

"I played JV ball and suited up for varsity games," he said. "In practices, the coaches liked that I would be physical, put my body on people, and make them work for inside rebounds and points."

As a rugged tight end and linebacker, DiFrancesco is now leading N-G's first attempt at a gridiron crown since it won as Southeast Catholic in 1954.

Saturday night, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior produced a first-quarter touchdown catch and six tackles as the visiting Saints blanked Bishop McDevitt, 28-0, in a Catholic League Class AA contest at Cheltenham.

In rebounding from back-to-back losses, N-G (4-4 overall, 2-1 league) held the Lancers to minus-5 rushing yards on 23 carries.

McDevitt lost yardage on 12 plays from scrimmage.

"We've had some rough times on defense this year, but we're confident we can shut teams down if each player handles his assignment," said DiFrancesco, a captain and four-year contributor.

Midway through the first quarter, DiFrancesco gave the Saints a 6-0 advantage with a 41-yard, leftside grab. He gained separation from his defender, hauled in Ray Lenhart's pass, and shook off a tackle attempt at the 20.

"On that play, I was acting like I was a blocker," the 18-year-old said of his first career offensive tally. "After I left the line of scrimmage, I was pretty open."

DiFrancesco serves as a fullback in short-yardage situations. In the third quarter against McDevitt, while flanked by fellow senior Matt McKeown, he led the way on Khalil Roane's 3-yard TD run.

"It's two big bodies blowing the hole up," said DiFrancesco, who also handles the placekicking and punting duties.

"I love when we get those opportunities."

DiFrancesco is the third in his family to play football at N-G.

Salvatore (Class of 2011) was a 6-foot, 275-pound offensive lineman; Christian (2012) was a speedy wide receiver and kick returner.

Michael DiFrancesco, who lives near Broad Street and Oregon Avenue in South Philly, said he has received recruiting letters from the likes of Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers.

"I don't know if anything will come from that," he said. "Right now, I'm focused on making us a better team and possibly winning a championship."

Former Pennridge coach Charles "Bud" Hollenbach died Saturday from injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle accident Friday night in Warrington.

Hollenbach, the father of current Pennridge boss Jeff Hollenbach, was riding in a car driven by his wife, Margaret. The crash occurred as they were exiting the parking lot at Central Bucks South after watching the visiting Rams play the Titans.

Bud Hollenbach, 89, was a longtime teacher and assistant coach at Pennridge. The Sellersville resident was inducted into the Pennridge-Quakertown Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Before returning to coach Pennridge last season after an eight-year break, Jeff Hollenbach supported his father as he battled thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a disorder that causes blood clots to form in small blood vessels around the body.

Funeral arrangements were pending.

In Springfield (Delco)'s 7-0 blanking of Central League rival Garnet Valley on Saturday, linebacker Adam Krauter (14), nose guard Brian Layden (nine), end Dan Archibong (nine), and linebacker Ricky Sterling (eight) combined for 40 tackles. Krauter and Layden notched nine and eight solo stops, respectively. . . . In leading Coatesville to an 8-0 record, junior Jordan Young has completed 135 of 199 passes (67.8 percent) for 1,686 yards and 11 TDs. McDevitt's Brendan Hanagan boomed second-quarter punts of 52 and 49 yards in the loss to N-G. . . . Unionville's Alex Pechin visited Maryland over the weekend. The 6-foot, 180-pound senior is being recruited as a placekicker/punter. . . . Oxford's Ryan Hubley has 75 receptions for 1,142 yards and 15 TDs.