Hi everyone!

I wanted to quickly introduce myself. I’m Andrew Huzar, the Football Coordinator for the Knights football program. Today we played our first games in the Pittsburgh Catholic league, and I wanted to share a quick update on how our student-athletes did.

And what a day it was!

For the first time in four years, all three Knights teams defeated the Ironmen. They are one of our toughest rivals, so this was a big accomplishment for our program. I also serve as Head Coach of our Developmental team, and we had not beaten the Ironmen during my four years as head coach, which made today’s win especially meaningful.

Most importantly, your students represented their schools and the Knights incredibly well. Here are some highlights from today’s games:

VARSITY KNIGHTS — W, 49–8

• Peyton Friedman (SGS) — 3 passing TDs
• Zymere Dorsey (SGS) — 1 rushing TD, 1 receiving TD
• Zymeir Crosby (SGS) — 1 rushing TD, 1 punt return TD
• Bryce Braendel (OLP) — 2 receiving TDs
• Jarell Flemmings Jr. (SJA) — Pick-six

JV KNIGHTS — W, 28–0

• Martell Johnson Jr. (MTA) — 3 rushing TDs
• London Lofton (SGS) — 1 passing TD
• Landon Baker (SGS) — 1 receiving TD

DEVELOPMENTAL KNIGHTS — W, 16–8

• Manuel DeJesus Jr. (MTA) — 2 rushing TDs, 1 two-point conversion
• Connor Zaruta (OLP) — 1 two-point conversion

Since I’m the head coach for the Developmental team I don’t get to watch the other games too closely. But I wanted to share a few more moments from our Developmental game that won’t necessarily show up on a stat sheet:

• Imogen Painter (SJA) played linebacker for the first time today, made her first tackle, AND helped cause the game-sealing fumble!

• Luke Zaruta (OLP) was thrust into the offensive line today. He played great and helped protect his older brother Connor, our quarterback.

• Bryson Smith (SGS) led our team in sacks!

• Aiden Konieczki (SJA) stepped in to play both offensive and defensive tackle today. Aiden isn’t the biggest kid on the field, but he was absolutely fearless against the Ironmen.

• Cameron Cline (OLP) was named a defensive captain today and helped lead our defense to a complete second-half shutdown of the Ironmen.

• Joe Gambill IV (SJA) was an absolute stud at tight end and linebacker. Both of our touchdowns came on plays run to his side.

Overall, all of your student-athletes played fantastic football today, but I was even happier with how they represented their schools and our program. They showed great sportsmanship across all three games, whether they were scoring touchdowns, making tackles, blocking for teammates, or cheering each other on.

I’m incredibly proud of our Knights, and I wanted to make sure you had an opportunity to hear about some of the great things your students are doing on the football field.

I hope you’re all just as proud of them!

I’ve attached a couple of my favorite pictures from today’s Developmental game.

Go Knights!

Sincerely,

Andrew Huzar
Football Coordinator
Erie Catholic School System