Neumann-Goretti Defeats Wyomissing

Wyomissing appeared to be headed to the Class 3A state championship game for the third straight year when Ben Zechman hit Charlie McIntyre for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 34 seconds left.  That 80-yard drive gave the Spartans a 17-14 lead over Neumann-Goretti at the Germantown Super Site on Saturday afternoon.  The Saints still had time to pull off a miracle and that’s exactly what they did.  Mehki Wharton found a wide open Qaasim Major for a 44-yard TD pass with eight seconds remaining.  “We’ve got a lot of heart. We’re a family, we’re brothers,” said Wharton.  The 6’7, 227-pound junior went 13-of-20 for 128 yards in the thrilling 20-17 victory.  Boston College commit Shawn Battle ran for 187 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown, on 19 carries.  The Spartans suffered their first loss of the season.  They defeated Neumann-Goretti 42-6 in the state semifinals a season ago.  The (11-3) Saints will face District 7 champion Belle Vernon for the PIAA-3A title on Saturday at 1pm at Cumberland Valley.

Neumann-Goretti quarterback Mehki Wharton provided SV Sports with some great insight into the game-winning touchdown pass.  Wharton gave credit to head coach Albie Crosby.