Immaculata football falls to Holy Spirit in Non-Public Group II semifinals

ABSECON - The eighth-seeded Immaculata High School football team shook up the NJSIAA Non-Public Group II playoffs last week with its stunning 21-14 victory against top-seeded Hudson Catholic.

On Friday, Immaculata (6-5) looked to upset another perennial team, but fell short as Holy Spirit defeated the Spartans 23-6.

In a rematch of the 2012 sectional final, in which Immaculata was defeated 30-6, the Spartans failed to exact revenge against Holy Spirit (8-2), which was in control of the game since the opening whistle.

Despite the Spartans' tough loss to end the season with a 6-5 record, Immaculata coach Tom Falato is proud of the way his team fought at the end of the season to clinch the final playoff spot after a 3-4 start to the season.

“Regardless of the outcome of the game I’m always proud of them,” Falato said. “They prepared for this game like champs, the outcome didn’t work out for us but if we keep working in this direction we will have our day.”

The game seemed as if it was heading in the right direction for Immaculata as the defense was able to force Holy Spirit to turn the ball over on the first drive of the game. Immaculata’s senior cornerback Brandon Haley intercepted Holy Spirit’s quarterback Mike Costabile pass in the end zone to prevent Holy Spirit from taking an early lead.

“Our defense played valiantly I thought,” Falato said. “I think we found out what semifinal playoff is about. It’s meant to be tough and we were right there.”

Immaculata wasn’t able to capitalize on the turnover and handed the ball back to its offense, which entered Friday's matchup having outscored opponents 71-35 during the team’s three-game win streak.

While Immaculata’s offense entered the semifinal rolling, it wasn’t able to find its groove against Holy Spirit.

In its second offensive possession of the game, Immaculata lined up to punt the ball away on third-and-long but Holy Spirit’s Dante Daniel blocked the punt, recovered it and ran it in for a score from 30 yards out to give Holy Spirit a 7-0 lead with 1:53 remaining in the first quarter.

“Special teams tonight was not like us,” Falato said. “We pride ourselves on our special teams but you got to give credit to (Holy Spirit). They did a good job on it.”

With a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter, Holy Spirit was driving the ball and Immaculata’s defense nearly came up with another red zone turnover. Holy Spirit’s Justin Figueroa broke off a 16-yard run and fumbled the ball at the one-yard line but Daniel Tarsitano was able to pick up the loose ball and run it in to put Holy Spirit up 13-0 with 1:28 remaining in the first half.

Holy Spirit would add points before the break following another Immaculata three-and-out. Holy Spirit’s Cade Antonucci made a 30-yard field goal in the final play of the half to put the Spartans up 16-0.

In the second half, Immaculata’s defense tightened up and the offense was finally able to capitalize. Immaculata capped off an 80-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run by Keith Sevitz, who lined up as quarterback on the play and scored on a QB sweep.

After a failed two-point conversion, Immaculata was trailing 16-6 to being the fourth quarter.  After a few defensive stops, Immaculata had the opportunity to cut it to a one-score game but quarterback Nathan Barnett fumbled on a scramble and Holy Spirit recovered it on Immaculata’s 30-yard line with 5:53 remaining.

Holy Spirit’s Reginal Jean-Charles sealed the victory with a 10-yard touchdown run for a 23-6 lead with 2:59 remaining in regulation.

For Immaculata, it was a heart-wrenching defeat as the seniors put on the Spartan uniform for the final time.

“We had an insane journey,” Immaculata wide receiver Sean Gaffney said. “We all made amazing friendships since our freshman year that are unforgettable. We fought so hard today. Everyone here, all the seniors, I’ll never forget playing alongside them.”