Timon/St. Jude Beats St. Joe's to Remain Undefeated in League Play

           Bishop Timon/St. Jude beat St. Joe’s 17-14 in a hard-fought Monsignor Martin league battle Friday night at Paul Fitzpatrick Field.

            Senior kicker Tom Gioia stole the show, recovering his own onside kick, and hitting a game-winning 39-yard field goal with 10:10 left in the game.

            “I just tried staying calm, making sure I was loose,” said a beaming Gioia outside the animated Timon locker room after the game. “The snap was perfect, hold was perfect, and I just had to do the rest.”

            After the game, Timon head coach Charlie Comerford cracked a quick smile before talking about his faith in Gioia.

            “He’s a college kicker,” said Comerford. “When we put him out there, we have the utmost confidence that Tommy is going to make the kick.”

            The Tigers move to 5-2 overall, and 3-0 in league play with the victory. After the game, Comerford was already looking forward to next week’s showdown with Canisius.

            “We’re happy for the time being, and our kids are happy and they deserve this moment,” said Comerford. “But we come back Monday and the Joe’s week is over, we have to move on to Canisius.”

            Timon jumped out to a quick lead on St. Joe’s after Demone Harris blocked a St. Joe’s punt, and Brad Wellenzohn recovered for the Tigers in the end zone.  The play sent the hometown fans into a frenzy, which carried through for much of the game.

            From there, Timon turned to their ground attack.  Senior fullback Jackson Brown scored on a 2-yard run early in the second quarter to put the Tigers up 14-0.

            “I just lowered my head and said I’m getting in,” said Brown of his touchdown.

            Brown finished the game with 14 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Adam DiMillo added 170 yards on 22 carries for the Tigers.

            St. Joe’s answered back to tie the game in the third quarter, on junior fullback Rodrick Payne’s second touchdown of the game.  Payne finished with 94 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.  He also had 12 total tackles on defense.

            Timon was able to hold its composure and move the ball down field on the ensuing drive to set up Gioia’s game-winning field goal.  The Timon sideline exploded as the ball went through the uprights, and the Tigers met Gioia with hugs and screams as he celebrated his way to the bench.  Their defense held strong from there, ensuring the Tigers their fourth straight victory.

            St. Joe’s moves to 6-1 with the loss, and will host St. Mary’s of Lancaster next Saturday.

            Timon plays Canisius next Friday night in a game that might determine the number one playoff seed in the Monsignor Martin league.

            “We beat a good team, but we have another good team coming up and we have to prepare for Canisius now,” said Brown.