Third-string quarterback leads Saints to dramatic comeback win over Scouts

By Sean McBryan Last updated Sep 30, 2023

Berks Catholic's Connor Pennington is congratulated by Luke Impellizzeri after go-ahead touchdown. (PhilMarPhoto)

2023 Berks football coverage presented by

Utilities Employees Credit Union

By Sean McBryan — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent

What’s more nerve-wracking: Knowing you’re starting your first varsity game and having it on your mind all day or being thrust into action shortly before the game due to an unexpected injury?

Just ask Berks Catholic sophomore and third-string signal caller Johnny Sauppee, who unexpectedly got his first varsity start Friday when back-up Zach Suski went down with a leg injury during pregame warmups.

Suski was taking the spot of senior Will Hess, who was injured two weeks ago against Wyomissing.

“I was nervous,” Sauppee admitted. “I was definitely feeling all the emotions. I’ve always wanted to start a varsity game. You never know when you’re going to get the start. And to come out with a win, it feels good.”

Sauppee commanded an 80-yard, game-winning drive that ended on running back Connor Pennington’s 4-yard touchdown run with 12.9 seconds left as the Saints defeated Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4 rival Conrad Weiser 30-26 at Robesonia.

“When we came over to the sideline on a timeout I told Coach (Dave) Stahler to send the speed here,” Pennington said. “He was like, ‘Alright, let’s run it.’ I just got by the defender and got to the tip of the end zone. It opened up after I turned the corner.”

The second-most important play of the game came on a great call and execution three plays before the game-winning run.

Maxx Mace and Saints celebrate his interception. (PhilMarPhoto)

Sauppee, who had thrown interceptions on his only two attempts earlier in the game, ran play-action and rolled left before finding back-up tight end Jake Linderman for a 16-yard gain that converted a fourth-and-11 and set the Saints up at the 2.

“When I came to the sideline (after those interceptions), everyone was saying keep your head up,” Sauppee said. “I knew at some point I had to complete a pass and then I found Jack.”

Injuries and illnesses are out of Berks Catholic’s control but there was plenty of adversity imposed by the Saints’ own doing and caused by the Scouts (1-2, 1-4).

Sauppee’s interceptions weren’t due to bad throws; the Scouts tipped one at the line of scrimmage and caught another that went off the hands of a Saints receiver.

The Saints also lost two fumbles and had some untimely penalties that put them in a 26-15 hole in the fourth quarter after Weiser quarterback Donovan Gingrich scored on a 2-yard draw.

“Suski’s one of my best friends on the team,” Sauppee said. “I knew when he went down I had to step up. When stuff goes wrong, our team is most likely the team to stay together and just keep working through the adversity.”

Bryce Gumby scored on a 9-yard run and converted the two-point conversion on the Saints’ next drive with 8:25 left to cut Weiser’s lead to 26-23.

The Scouts’ ensuing possession stalled out at BC’s 44 and the Saints got the ball back with 4:42 left before embarking on the game-winning, 14-play drive.

Bryce Gumby breaks up a pass, then hangs on for an interception. (PhilMarPhoto)

	1	2	3	4	Final
Berks Catholic	7	0	8	15	30
Conrad Weiser	0	12	7	7	26

Scoring summary

1	Berks Catholic	Garcia, 1 run (Osario kick)	1:19
2	Conrad Weiser	Rivera, 2 run (Malone kick blocked)	11:40
2	Conrad Weiser	Parham, 28 run (Gingrich pass failed)	7:16
3	Berks Catholic	Bradley, 1 run (Pennington run)	9:09
3	Conrad Weiser	Parham, 53 run (Malone kick)	0:47
4	Conrad Weiser	Gingrich, 2 run (Malone kick)	11:57
4	Berks Catholic	Gumby, 9 run (Gumby run)	8:25
4	Berks Catholic	Pennington, 4 run (Osario kick)	0:13

Team statistics

	Berks Catholic	Conrad Weiser
First downs	20	12
Rushes-yards	59-315	25-125
Passing yards	16	124
Total yards	331	249
Passes	1-3-2	13-23-2
Fumbles-lost	3-2	2-0
Punts-average	3-32	5-35
Penalties-yards	5-45	9-90