Thanksgiving Day
High School Football:
Irish Win on Shamrock Field

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

We will build it, they will come. Shamrock Field was the place to be on Thanksgiving morning for the first home game at Camden Catholic High School. The capacity crowd got together to see the Irish defeat Paul VI 42-0 for their first home victory at Shamrock Field. No more travelling to Camden's Farnham Field and calling it home for the Fighting Irish. The alumni, students and faculty got together on Sunday, November 23rd to officially open the celebration of their new field.

Senior James Howard was most of the offense for Camden Catholic and the defense held Paul VI in check. The scoring started when the Fighting Irish defense forced Paul VI to punt on their first possession of the game deep in their own territory. On the punt attempt, the snap was mishandled and the Irish received the ball inside the 15-yard line. That's when Howard would score on a pitch from Quarterback Brian Cassano. On the extra point attempt, a mishandled snap turned into 2 points for Rich Lewis.

On the next defensive series, N'Namdee Nelson got thru the offensive line and blocked the punt to give the Irish the ball again deep in Paul VI territory. Matt Cassano would score from 5 yards out and the Irish were up 15-0 in the 1st quarter.

At the start of the second half, Howard was at it again. He would score on the first play on an 82-yard run after a 10-yard penalty. On the next series for Camden Catholic, Howard ripped up 63 more yards and scored another touchdown to put his team up by 29 points.

The Irish would add 13 more points to scoreboard to complete the victory and inaugural ceremony of the opening of Shamrock Field.