Neumann-Goretti controls second half for win

IN A GAME virtually locked in neutral, Ss. Neumann-Goretti shifted gears in the second half and cruised to a 32-7 victory over Springfield in the first round of the PIAA Class AA playoffs.

"We started out slow, but seeing the running game working, we just kept our foot on the gas and kept going," said N-G junior running back Khalil Roane of Saturday's game at the South Philadelphia Supersite.

Next up for the Saints (9-4), the state quarterfinals against Dunmore (12-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Northern Lehigh.

The Saints were led by both Roane, who ran through the teeth of the Spartans' defense for 146 yards on 17 carries for one touchdown, and senior Michael DiFrancesco who chipped in with one score, while anchoring the defense at inside linebacker (eight tackles, two for loss).

"Our defense was playing good, and we knew that the opportunities were there. We just had to take advantage of it," DiFrancesco said of the defense that also had three interceptions. "We made adjustments at halftime, came out with fire and we just put them away when we started scoring."

Springfield had control in the first quarter, displaying a balanced running attack led by senior Martin Worgan (12 carries on 36 yards) and junior Brett Righter (13 carries on 31 yards).

But the Spartans' early jolt of offensive came to an anticlimatic halt on N-G's 2-yard line as the Saints defense stood up for a goal-line stand.

It was a stagnant first half for N-G until an instant spark of offense out of the Wildcat formation from Aamir Brown, who rushed for 54 yards. In addition, N-G senior Takeem Ford intercepted a pass to set up senior Ray Lenhart's 30-yard strike to DiFrancesco for a score with 6 seconds left before the break. The Saints carried that momentum into the second half and tallied 24 unanswered points.

"Coach [Chalie Szydlik] emphasized 'Don't give up, we are only up eight, it really is 0-0, play like it that,' " said DiFrancesco, a vocal team captain who loves preparing for games. "It's a state playoff game, it's going to be the last game you can ever play for the seniors. We didn't want to do that on our own turf."

DiFrancesco hopes to play football next year at Temple or Villanova and while pursuing a career in physical therapy.

In the second half, Roane dashed 13 yards for the first of 24 N-G points. On the ensuing possession, junior Miles Brewer jumped a route for a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:12 left in the third quarter.

The following drive, Saints sophomore Aamir Brown chipped in with 52-yard interception that was nearly returned for a touchdown. That pick set up Brewer for a 6-yard TD run.

Roane has been the Saints' offensive leader with 1,470 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this season. He is impressed with his growth since his freshman year and throughout this season, which started with a 28-7 loss to Episcopal.

"My freshman season I was more focused on myself and I wasn't as much of a team player," Roane said. "At the beginning of the season against Episcopal, our team was in pieces, but as we went into the season, we all just formed together."

Roane, only a junior, has garnered interest from Rutgers, UMass, Oklahoma and Penn State and wants to major in criminal justice.

On Springfield's final drive, QB Chris Stone hit sophomore George Baughan (three catches on 38 yards, TD) with a 22-yard strike for the Spartans' lone score of the day.

"Every game is different, every game strategy is different; we've got to find a way to get a win against Dunmore and after that we got to keep our foot on the gas," Roane said.