Last-second score by Zach Suski saves Saints
2024 Berks football coverage
presented by UECU
By Chris DeAntonio — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Berks Catholic quarterback Zach Suski finished off a near-perfect night against Executive Education with a 1-yard touchdown run with two seconds left as the Saints won 22-18 at Andre Reed Stadium at Kutztown University Friday night.
It was the first win for Berks Catholic (1-1) under first-year head coach Dave Stahler.
“It feels great—I’m so proud of our kids,” said Stahler, a longtime assistant. “We were doing all of the things we have been practicing for months now. I’m just so proud of our kids’ effort and they were tough all the way to the end. I couldn’t be happier.”
After Executive Education took an 18-15 lead with 1:20 left, Suski led the Saints 48 yards for the game-winning score. He completed both of his passes on the drive for 36 yards and ran twice for 2 yards. Other than the score, the biggest play on the decisive drive was a 28-yard pass to his top target — and cousin – tight end Jackson Kozik.
“I thought Zach did a great job making great decisions and making great throws at the end,” said Stahler. “When they moved in to stop the run, we were then able to get Jackson open on crossing plays.”
Suski was effective all game, completing his first six pass attempts. He completed 12-of-14 passes for 115 yards. He also ran the ball twice for 14 yards.
The dramatic win against Executive Education (1-1) was made possible thanks to strong early running from Nathaniel Rose and the familial connection between Suski and Kozik.
Facing a fourth-and-12 early in the fourth quarter, Suski connected with Kozik for a huge 17-yard play that took the Saints into the red zone.
“I saw the defensive end running near me, so I stepped up in the pocket and scrambled out a little,” said Suski. “Our receivers were play-making and I threw it to Jackson, who finished the play.”
Berks Catholic made good on the first down pickup and Rose took the ball to the end zone for his second touchdown. It gave the Saints a 15-12 lead in the final quarter.
“We had success running the ball in between the tackles with Rose,” said Stahler. “I thought he did a really nice job.”
Rose carried the ball a team-high 24 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 15 yards.
Kozik finished with a team-high six catches for 82 yards.
Berks Catholic held on to a slim 7-6 lead at halftime but the Raptors regained the lead with a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zion Brake to Christian Navarro. Brake completed 13-of-22 passes for 154 yards and two scores. He also threw one interception.
But for each Executive Education touchdown, Berks Catholic eventually found an answer.
Executive Education was led on the ground by running back Jadien Perez; he finished with 89 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.
Berks Catholic plays at Bethlehem Catholic Thursday.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Berks Catholic | 7 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 22 |
| Executive Education | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 18 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Executive Education | Edmonson, 7 pass from Brake (kick failed) | 8:32 |
| 1 | Berks Catholic | Rose, 5 run (Osorio kick) | 3:39 |
| 3 | Executive Education | Navarro, 30 pass from Brake (pass failed) | 4:06 |
| 4 | Berks Catholic | Rose, 5 run (Suski run) | 9:43 |
| 4 | Executive Education | Perez, 7 run (run failed) | 1:20 |
| 4 | Berks Catholic | Suski, 1 run (Osorio kick) | 0:02 |
Team statistics
| BERKS CATHOLIC | EXECUTIVE EDUCATION | |
| First downs | 15 | 14 |
| Rushes-yards | 40-122 | 20-128 |
| Passing yards | 115 | 154 |
| Total yards | 237 | 282 |
| Passes | 12-14-0 | 14-22-1 |
| Fumbles-lost | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| Punts-average | 3-30.3 | 0-0 |
| Penalties-yards | 4-29 | 6-70 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Berks Catholic: Rose 24-116, Suski 2-14, Rios 1-3, Schalk 3-1, Curley 7-(-3), Team 3-(-9).
Executive Education: Perez 11-89, Mirza 6-28, Brake 3-11.
PASSING
Berks Catholic: Suski 12-14-0-115.
Executive Education: Brake 14-22-1-154.
RECEIVING
Berks Catholic: Kozik 6-82, Rose 2-15, Welker 2-11, Duffy 1-9, Schalk 1-4.
Executive Education: Rodriguez 5-48, Edmonson 4-31, Kohler 2-26, Conner 2-19, Navarro 1-30.
INTERCEPTIONS
Berks Catholic: Duffy.
