The (10-3) Shamrocks went up 3-0 on Logan Amatucci’s 30-yard field goal with 8:30 left in the second quarter. After struggling early, senior quarterback Mason Boyer came alive late in the first half. He engineered a 90-yard drive in just two minutes. Boyer connected with Jarzynski for 18 and 23 yard gains. They hooked up again for a 15-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline with 24 seconds on the clock. Boyer was 6-for-7 on that series. He finished 17-of-30 for 177 yards and 2 TD. Boyer has thrown for just over 1,900 yards with 23 touchdowns this season.

The Saints trailed 10-0 at halftime. Berks Catholic had some momentum in the third quarter after a 16-yard run by Jeremiah Camara. On third-and-21, Johnny Sauppee scrambled and took a late hit. That personal foul set up a fourth-and-2 at Trinity’s 26-yard line. Sophomore Coy Koller went up the middle for four yards to move the chains. However, the drive stalled from there and ended with no points when Alex Reali barely missed a 40-yard field goal with 1:09 remaining in the quarter. The Shamrocks responded by marching 80 yards over seven minutes and twenty seconds. Harris ripped off a 24-yard run and Boyer found Yeager for 24 more yards. Jarzynski sealed it with a 8-yard touchdown grab in the left corner of the end zone. He and Yeager entered the night with 101 combined receptions for 1,361 yards. “They’re big, strong kids. I thought we had people on them all night. I don’t think it was a scheme flaw. I thought our kids did everything they could and there were just physical mismatches we couldn’t quite overcome…Even when they were covered, they could make the play,” replied Stahler. Gavin Mann intercepted Sauppee with 2:27 to go at Trinity’s 45-yard line. It was the Saints’ second turnover of the game. They fumbled on their opening possession which was recovered by Caleb Klepeiss. Berks Catholic ended up with just 65 rushing yards. Camara had a dozen carries for 40 yards. Sauppee was 3-of-5 for (-3) yards.

The (9-3) Saints saw their eight-game winning streak come to a close, but Stahler remained positive. “I’m so proud of this group of kids. They heard from everybody how bad they were gonna be and they worked their tails off all year. I love those kids. I wish we had more time together; that’s my only disappointment tonight,” he said. Berks Catholic was denied its fifth District 3 championship, but the Saints did capture the Section 5 title in the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Faith Zudie and Eric Bennethum played very well at defensive end against the Shamrocks, and Josiah Turman came up with an interception. They will all be returning along with Camara, Koller, Damoni Daglis, Ryan Spatz, Mason Mace, Wyatt Burkman, and others. “I think this is a motivated group. I think these kids really care about each other. I think they like being at Berks Catholic. We have a good thing going for next year,” emphasized Stahler.

Holy Name graduate Eric Hancock joined Stahler’s coaching staff this season as the defensive coordinator. The former Twin Valley head coach was an assistant at Schuylkill Valley last fall. “Eric is very knowledgeable. He coaches with passion. He’s great at breaking down opponents,” noted Stahler. Berks Catholic only allowed 6.6 points per game in league play. Faith Zudie leads the Saints with 78 tackles including 18 tackles for loss. Annville-Cleona had no answer for the 6’, 180-pound junior defensive end. Zudie racked up 14 tackles and 5 TFL. If that wasn’t enough, he also blocked a field goal. “The best thing about Faith is that he has a positive attitude about everything he attacks. In class, in the weight room, on the football field, he’s an awesome kid. He plays with great effort all the time. He practices hard all the time. That’s what makes him a great football player,” emphasized Stahler. Eric Bennethum and Damoni Daglis, both juniors, have also played well on the defensive line. Sophomore safety Mason Mace is second on the team in tackles with 63. Junior linebacker Ryan Spatz isn’t far behind with 59 stops.

The Saints’ offense has done most of its work on the ground. They’re averaging 35.6 points and 338 rushing yards per contest. Four players have between 60-80 carries in the Wing-T attack. Xavier Gerald has a team-high 738 yards and seven touchdowns. Reading transfer Jeremiah Camara has provided 701 yards and 7 TD in seven games. “It’s been a great addition. It’s been nice to have Jeremiah and what he brings to the table,” replied Stahler. Aidan Curley and sophomore Coy Koller have combined for 1,021 yards and a dozen touchdowns. Owen Schalk put Berks Catholic on top in overtime last Friday with a 10-yard touchdown run. He missed the season opener after having his wisdom teeth removed and then was out three more games due to a shoulder injury. “Owen is a dynamic athlete. He’s physical, he’s fast, and he runs through tackles. He’s awesome as a ball carrier so it’s nice to have him back,” said Stahler. Schalk is averaging a staggering 13.2 yards per carry on 38 touches.

The Saints have a bye this week which will allow Stahler to spend Halloween with his three young children. Bermudian Springs hosts Big Spring on Friday. Berks Catholic will meet the winner of that District 3-3A quarterfinal. Bermudian Springs knocked out the Saints 42-25 in the semifinals a season ago. “We’d like to play them again. I don’t think we played our best game that night, but both programs are good. They’re both physical teams,” stated Stahler.