CATHOLIC LEAGUE GAME OF THE WEEK:
Who: Bonner-Prendergast vs. Neumann-Goretti
When: 12:00 PM Saturday, October 8, 2022
Where: South Philadelphia Supersite (10th and Bigler Streets)
Records: Bonner-Prendergast 4-1, 3-0; Neumann-Goretti 3-1, 3-0
Most Recent Performance: Bonner-Prendergast defeated visiting Archbishop Ryan, 35-7; Neumann-Goretti shut out host Cardinal O’Hara, 38-0.
Importance: Barring an epic upset or two, the winner of this game will ultimately capture the PCL Blue Division championship. For Bonner-Pendergast, that would mark the program’s first since 1994; for Neumann-Goretti, that would be its third straight and fourth in five years.
All-Time Record: Bonner-Prendergast leads the series, 33-15-5.
Bonner-Prendergast Notes: Friars carry a four-game losing streak vs. the Saints . . . Dropped 26-20 tearjerker against N-G last year . . . Over the past three games, the Friars have outscored their opposition, 132-28 . . . RB Avery Hankey has averaged eight yards per carry in his four games (469 yards and five TDs) . . . Senior QB Justin Shepherd has tossed nine touchdowns . . . Of senior Zac Coneys’ 10 catches, five have gone for touchdowns; of sophomore Jalil Hall’s seven catches, four have resulted in touchdowns . . . Statistical leaders on defense: Senior Nick Smith (14 solo tackles, 7 assists, one interception); junior Wykil Fowler (14-5); junior Isaiah Sessions (10-5); sophomore Mick Johnson (11-4, and two sacks); senior Elijah Beaty (10-3).
Neumann-Goretti Notes: After losing their opener, Saints have won three straight by a collective tally of 101 to 14 . . . Saints carry a 19-game winning streak vs. the PCL going back to the 2018 season finale, the most of any program in either division . . . On offense, junior QB Mekhi Wharton has tossed six touchdowns in three games. His main receivers include senior Denim Smith (10 catches, 194 yards, four touchdowns) and senior Shawn Battle (12 for 116 and a TD) . . . More on Battle: He is coming off of a 134-yard, two-touchdown effort against O’Hara. He has scored five total TDs . . . Senior Yasir Williams scored on a 63-yard kickoff return . . . Statistical leaders on defense include senior Sam Hobbs (13 tackles, 8 assists, 1.5 sacks) and sophomore Donjuan Clark (7-4-1.5).
FRIAR CHAT: “Obviously, at the beginning of the year this is a game that we had circled on our schedule,” said B-P senior quarterback Justin Shepherd. “But our goal every week is to go 1-0 and focus on one game at a time. They are a talented team. Our coaches are going to prepare us well, and we are going to need to be strong on both sides of the ball.”
SAINT CHAT: “Well me and my team are very excited for this game because it gives us the chance to shut up the critics and show the world our brand and who we really are,” said N-G senior linebacker Sam Hobbs. “This game is like every other game to us. We’re on a mission, and Bonner Prendie is just in the way.”
Neumann-Goretti vs. West Catholic - PSD Gallery by Zack Beavers
Bonner-Prendergast vs. Archbishop Carroll - PSD Gallery by Lennie Malmgren
Prediction: Last year’s one-score tilt produced constant excitement, and this one might be even more memorable. A school without a title since 1994, Bonner-Prendergast’s hunger is palpable. Their adversary, though, has won 19 straight PCL games for a reason. The Saints don’t panic and, under coach Al Crosby, rarely have issues under pressure. Streaks, however, are meant to be broken, and in a battle to the final minutes, Bonner-Prendergast’s Friars pull out a 20-18 victory.
*** Individual statistics courtesy of Ed “Huck” Powers.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)