Bryce Gumby-Berks Catholic

Berks Catholic’s streak of eleven consecutive winning seasons ended in 2022. The Saints finished (5-6) that year and had the same record last fall. They were hoping to get back on track this season, but things weren’t looking good in late September. First, there was a gut-wrenching 30-28 loss at Lancaster Catholic. The following week was just as frustrating. Berks Catholic returned home and fell to Schuylkill Valley 20-14 on a 68-yard touchdown pass with 47 seconds remaining. The Saints were sitting at (2-4) and on the verge of missing the District 3 playoffs for the third straight year. “We kept our energy high through those losses and that really helped us,” said senior Bryce Gumby. Berks Catholic has turned things around under first-year head coach and longtime assistant Dave Stahler. The Saints have won five in a row to reach the District 3-3A semifinals. “We can’t focus on the bad things. When we focus on the good, good things come,” replied Gumby. He’s averaging a staggering 10.6 yards per carry. The 6’, 175-pound RB/CB has rushed for 834 yards and a team-high 13 TD. Gumby also has three touchdown catches and a pair of interceptions. Nate Rose, a 190-pound junior fullback, leads Berks Catholic with 913 yards and eleven scores. Zach Suski has been extremely efficient at quarterback. The first-year starter is completing 72% of his passes with 18 TD and just 3 INT. Suski has thrown for 1,543 yards. The 6’, 170-pound senior has distributed the ball evenly. Jackson Kozik, Gavin Welker, Scott Duffy, and Gumby each have between 14 and 20 receptions. Kozik has a team-high 20 catches. The 210-pound junior TE/DE has also made 64 tackles. Duffy leads the (7-4) Saints with four interceptions. The 6’1 senior WR/S has six touchdowns on just 14 receptions. Welker gives Suski a tall target. The 6’3 junior has pulled down 5 TD passes. Berks Catholic blew out fourth-seeded Biglerville 48-7 last week. The fifth-seeded Saints travel to top-seeded Bermudian Springs on Friday. The Eagles have won nine straight since losing their opener to New Oxford 28-13. Berks Catholic is (20-5) all-time in the District 3 playoffs. Gumby is happy to be back in the tournament. “It feels great. As a senior, that’s what you strive for,” he said.