Spartans fall in see-saw matchup

Fans in attendance at Manning Field for Saturday evening?s Catholic Central League matchup featuring Cardinal Spellman and St. Mary?s sure got their money?s worth.Unfortunately for the home fans, the Cardinals were able to sneak away with a 28-22 victory. With the loss, the Spartans fall to 3-2 on the season while the Cardinals improve to 2-2.?I thought we played very well,” said St. Mary?s head coach Matt Durgin. “Cardinal Spellman is a very good football team but our kids never quit and their effort was outstanding.”St. Mary?s wasted no time picking up the offense as on the first drive it put together a six-play drive that was capped by a three-yard rush by Abraham Toe (Connor Sakowich two-point conversion) to put the Spartans up 8-0.Cardinal Spellman wasted no time tying the game as running back Matt Anastasi took the first play from scrimmage 47 yards for a Cardinals touchdown (Grillone two-point conversion) to tie the game 8-8.St. Mary?s showed tenacity as it came right back with a quick four-play drive, which ended with a 35-yard touchdown run by Toe (Sakowich two-point conversion) to give the Spartans a 16-8 lead.Following a defensive stop that forced Cardinal Spellman to punt, the Spartans did what they do best.They slowed the game down to their pace and completely controlled the second quarter.Unfortunately they were not able to capitalize with any points. The score remained 16-8 at halftime.Cardinal Spellman came out flying in the second half as it scored on its first two drives (Anastasi rush, and Mike Reale rush, respectively) for a 20-16 lead later in the third quarter. The Spartan offense came back swinging on the next drive as they turned to their running-back star, Toe.Toe saw 8 rushes in an eleven-play drive that was capped by a one-yard rush by Toe to give the Spartans back the lead at 22-20.Following a defensive stop from both teams, the Cardinals began to work on what would eventually be the game-winning drive.The Cardinals put together a 10-play drive that resulted in a 3-yard touchdown rush by Anastasi and reclaimed a 28-22 lead.Despite an all-out attack by the Spartans, Cardinal Spellman was able to hold on to the lead and the victory.?Tonight was two good football teams that were evenly matched,” said Cardinal Spellman Head Coach Ron St. George. “Their two big guns (Toe and Sakowich) were very good tonight, but we were able to adjust to their team speed.”For the Spartans Toe led all rushers with 127 yards on 24 carries, and for the Cardinals Anastasi led all rushers with 219 yards on 18 carries.