St. Basil keeps playoff hopes alive

The St. Basil Saints are not ready to hand in their equipment just yet.

After going through a tough 0-18-1 streak over a four-year stretch, the Saints have rebounded with two consecutive victories to conclude the 2005 High School Football League senior division regular season.

On Thursday night at Rocky DiPietro Field, the Saints held off the Sir James Dunn Eagles 14-7 to move into a temporary share of fourth place with a 2-3 record. Sir James Dunn falls to 3-2 but will maintain their hold on second place.

Should the Bawating Braves (2-2) lose to the St. Mary's Knights (4-0), which is scheduled for Friday night at 7 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field, the Saints will suit up for a tiebreaker on Tuesday at 7 p.m. with Bawating. If the Braves upset the Knights, Bawating will gain fourth place and eliminate the Saints.

The regular season concludes on Saturday as the White Pines Wolverines (2-2), who have third place and a date with the Eagles in the semi-final next week secured, face the Korah Colts (0-4) at 1 p.m.

Against the Eagles, the Saints' defense turned in the key plays when needed to stall the Eagles offense and hold off a late game rally.

Kyle Hoffman opened the scoring with a four yard touchdown run early in the second quarter before Mark Hoffman upped the Saints lead to 13-0 on a two yard run 4:44 into the fourth quarter.

On a fourth down and six play with 2:06 remaining, Eagles quarterback Frank Weise scrambled 30 yards for the touchdown to close the gap to 13-7 with Nick Wegener's convert.

Kevin Smith added a 40 yard punt single for the Saints with six seconds left before the Saints stopped the Eagles, who earlier converted two fake punt attempts, on the game's final two plays.

Steve Pandzik kicked a convert for the Saints.

Mark Hoffman led St. Basil offense with 89 yards on 15 carries while Kyle Hoffman added 59 yards on 14 carries. Quarterback Andrew Allen completed three of five passes for 31 yards.

Rob Amadio anchored the Saints defense with seven tackles while Sean Speakman made four tackles, a sack and recovered two fumbles. Greg Allemano added 4.5 tackles, Mike Wozny and Josh McFarlane four each. Tommy Reville hauled in an interception.

For the Eagles, Peter McGonegal paced the offense with 117 rushing yards on 17 carries. Weise completed six of 17 passes for 57 yards including four strikes to McGonegal for 36 yards.

Lucas Walker led the SJD defense with 7.5 tackles while Matt McKenzie added 6.5, Weise five and Tyler Brown 4.5. Frank Theriault recorded 4.5 tackles, a sack and a blocked kick.

*** JUNIOR:

The St. Basil Saints completed a perfect 5-0 regular season with a 17-0 win over the Eagles.

Dave Christenson returned a punt 60 yards and Kyle Mammarella another 50 yards just four plays later to put the game away. Scott Martin kicked a field goal and two converts.