High School Football:
Lions Celebrate Homecoming Victory

Saturday, Oct. 25, 1997

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

This Tri-County Conference homecoming meeting had all the makings of a good football game. The match up between the Gloucester Catholic Rams at the Gloucester City Lions was dedicated to the late Joseph G. Kelly. He was a loved history teacher and assistant principal for Gloucester City High School for over 25 years.

The capacity crowd didn't let the early rains stop them from enjoying this city series game. All fans were definitely behind their schools and wanted to be heard.

The Lions' defense held off a 4 down series in the 1st quarter and got the ball back in Rams territory. Jason McDonnell completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Harry Thomas with 3:16 left in the 1st quarter to take a 7 - 0 lead.

Gloucester City was not finished with scoring when Mark Welsh intercepted a pass by Gloucester Catholic's Rob Murtha. Fullback Marc Ryan of the Lions ran through a hole provided by the offensive line to rush for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:17 left in the 1st quarter.

In the second quarter, the Rams got on the score board with a hard earned touchdown run by Sam Burdesa. The two-point conversion failed. The Rams got the ball again in Lions' territory late in the quarter but were stopped short on a 4th and inches stand by the Lions' defense. Halftime score was 14 - 6 Lions.

The only score in the second half was a Rams touchdown pass from Rob Murtha to Dan Durkhardt with 10:08 left in the 4th quarter. The two-point conversion to tie the game failed and the Lions went to on to win 14 to 12.