Saints storm past winless Crimson Tide
2024 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By T.J. Eck — LNP/Lancasteronline
COLUMBIA — Starting fast: That was the goal for Berks Catholic.
“The past couple of games we have been coming out really slow,” Saints quarterback Zach Suski said. “But this game we came out strong. . . we started off great.”
The Saints scored 20 points in the first quarter, were ahead by six touchdowns at halftime, and blitzed winless Columbia 54-6 Thursday in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 play.
| Section 5 | ||
| Sch. Valley | 4-0 | 5-2 |
| Hamburg | 3-1 | 5-2 |
| Lanc. Cath. | 3-1 | 4-3 |
| Berks Cath. | 3-2 | 4-4 |
| Ann.-Cleona | 3-2 | 4-4 |
| Pequea | 2-3 | 4-4 |
| Kutztown | 0-4 | 0-7 |
| Columbia | 0-5 | 0-8 |
“We really focused on trying to get out of the gates and be focused from the start of the game,” Berks Catholic coach Dave Stahler said. “I thought we did a nice job of that tonight.”
After receiving the opening kickoff, Berks Catholic (3-2, 4-4) needed just five plays to score. Nate Rose (nine carries, 76 yards) went 21 yards for the first of his three touchdowns.
After a Crimson Tide three-and-out the Saints wasted little time getting back to the end zone. Bryce Gumby gained 37 yards and on their first play and Owen Schalk went 28 yards for a touchdown and 12-0 lead.
The Saints racked up runs of 18, 21, 28, and 37 yards in the first quarter.
Rose’s second TD run and ensuing two-point conversion made it 20-0 less than 11 minutes into the game.
“When it’s a lot of different guys (running the ball) that means the guys up front are doing their job,” Stahler said. “There was space between the tackles for us and our offensive linemen were clearing people out.”
The success on the ground opened up the Saints’ passing attack in the second quarter. Suski connected on a pair of touchdown passes: 68 yards to Scott Duffy and 18 yards to Gavin Welker. Suski finished 6-of-8 for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
“Our receivers were getting open, catching the ball, getting yards after the catch, and getting in the end zone,” Suski said.
The Crimson Tide (0-5, 0-8) was led by quarterback Cameron McClair, who accounted for 111 yards of total offense, including a 60-yard touchdown pass to Julien Baez.
It was a must-win for the Saints in their bid to earn a postseason berth. They entered the game ninth in the District 3 Class 3A power ratings. The top six teams qualify.
“We stubbed our toes a couple times and we can’t make any more mistakes,” Stahler said. “We’ve gotta win out and hope to get a little help.”
Berks Catholic plays Hamburg next week before closing the regular season at Annville-Cleona.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Berks Catholic | 20 | 22 | 12 | 0 | 54 |
| Columbia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Berks Catholic | Rose, 21 run (kick failed) |
| 1 | Berks Catholic | Schalk, 28 run (kick failed) |
| 1 | Berks Catholic | Rose, 7 run (Rose run) |
| 2 | Berks Catholic | Rose, 9 run (Suski run) |
| 2 | Berks Catholic | Duffy, 68 pass from Suski (Osorio kick) |
| 2 | Berks Catholic | Welker, 18 pass from Suski (Osorio kick) |
| 3 | Berks Catholic | Harter, 10 run (kick failed) |
| 3 | Berks Catholic | Gerald, 32 run (kick failed) |
| 4 | Columbia | Baez, 60 pass from McClair (kick failed) |
Team statistics
| Berks Catholic | Columbia | |
| First downs | 12 | 2 |
| Rushes-yards | 27-253 | 19-64 |
| Passing yards | 159 | 105 |
| Total yards | 412 | 169 |
| Passes | 6-8-0 | 5-17-1 |
| Fumbles-lost | 2-2 | 5-2 |
| Penalties-yards | 4-30 | 4-21 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Berks Catholic: Rose 9-76, Gumby 6-63, Gerald 2-38, Schalk 1-28, Suski 1-18, Curley 2-14, Rios 2-14, Harter 2-9, Spatz 1-(-1), Guilavogui 1-(-6).
Columbia: Brommer 7-55, McClair 10-6.
PASSING
Berks Catholic: Suski 6-8-0–159.
Columbia: McClair 5-17-1–105.
RECEIVING
Berks Catholic: Welker 3-63, Kozik 2-28, Duffy 1-68.
Columbia: Ocasio 2-37, Duncan 2-8, Baez 1-60.
INTERCEPTIONS
Berks Catholic: Duffy
