Archbishop Ryan beats Neumann-Goretti by a score of 34-18. Ryan avoids a 0-3 start to their season led by junior quarterback, Matt Romano. Romano threw for 200 yards on nine completions.
After a disappointing two losses to start the year this game was a must win for the Raiders.
“It feels awesome,” Romano said. “I mean no one wants to go 0-3 so this was definitely a must win.”
Ryan huddles during pregame warm-up - PSD Photo
Romano’s favorite target for the night was junior wide receiver and cornerback Jeremy Smith. Smith had 3 catches for 74-yards including a 38-yard catch in the second quarter. But Smith also had a key interception before Ryan got on the board to give the Raiders a much needed energy burst.
“I believe that interception gave us some momentum,” Smith said. “But it’s a team game and that was a good team effort.”
The offensive line anchored by senior center Sean Devine, guards junior Mike O’Brien and Senior Ryan Kidwell, and the tackles juniors Brendan Ruskowski and Andrew Obuchowicz, held strong throughout the game to give Romano a pocket to pass in.
But the game had a few ups and downs as Ryan turned the ball over multiple times including a pick-6 early in the third.
But the Raiders put that behind them and were able to get going offensively.
“It felt good to get that momentum going you feel like you can score on every drive,” Kidwell said. “But we definitely have to cut down on the turnovers if we want to be a good football team.”
Charles Gary lines up vs. Bishop McDevitt- PSD Photo
Ryan turned the ball over multiple times including a pick-6 early in the third.
But the Raiders put that behind them and were able to get going offensively.
“It felt good to get that momentum going you feel like you can score on every drive,” Kidwell said. “But we definitely have to cut down on the turnovers if we want to be a good football team.”
“Like coach [Frank McArdle] says you gotta keep chopping,” Devine said on the same topic.
Romano ended the game with three touchdowns, the one to Smith, a 10-yarder to freshman wide receiver Shamar Edwards and a 31-yard strike to senior tight end Joe Cannon.
Sophomore Mike Minniti also contributed to the scoring outburst with a 7-yard run in the second. And Charles “Cha Cha” Gary ended Ryan’s scoring with a pick-6 at the end of the third quarter.
The saints look to push out of their endzone - PSD Photo
Neumann did attempt a comeback in the fourth. Junior quarterback Brandon Pridgen had a 26-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Maurice Mazzccua. And then, a Ryan turnover left the Saints knocking on the doorstep again.
On the first play after the turnover, senior running back Khalil Roanne scored from 7-yards out. But the comeback attempt was too little too late.
Ryan hopes to continue their success and put a couple of wins together when they play Roman Catholic next Thursday.