January 30, 2021
SPRINGFIELD The Philadelphia Catholic League is back and while things may look very different, the usual high level of play hasn’t gone anywhere.
The first night of the 2021 season brought an instant thriller as defending champion Neumann-Goretti found itself in a fight to the finish with host La Salle. Both sides got some big-time performances and plenty of clutch plays as the outcome came down to the final possession.
A pirouetting layup by Saints freshman Rob Wright III at the buzzer delivered the defending champs a 67-65 victory in a terrific game to start the PCL season.
“It was just a phenomenal feeling to get out there with your brothers when it was expected there wasn’t going to be a season,” Neumann-Goretti senior Hysier Miller said. “For us getting this opportunity tonight when we saw all those other games get cancelled, I was just happy to be out there and of course to get a win in a tough game.”
Pitts wins Mackey Award, loses out to Smith in Biletnikoff
Pitts became first ever tight end to receive Biletnikoff Award finalist nomination January 8, 2021 | 1:43pm EST Pitts was awarded the Mackey following a 770 yard, 12 touchdown campaign in 2020. Photo from UF-Auburn game in October 2019. Photo by Samantha Harrison | The Independent Florida Alligator
After securing a First Team All-SEC selection and helping his team to an Orange Bowl victory, junior tight end Kyle Pitts aimed for the moon in 2020.
Pitts wanted to get stronger to increase his production in 2020, but his sights were set primarily on the Mackey Trophy, the award given to the outstanding tight end in college football.