Saint John Neumann nearly hangs half a hundred in spring football game

By High School Sports | May 25, 2013 5:00 am

On Friday, Saint John Neumann faced Imagine School of North Port, who will be their Class 2A-6 district opponent for the first time in the 2013 varsity season. The Celtics staged quite a welcoming party against their new district foe as they defeated the Sharks 49-24 in their 2013 spring football classic.

“This team put it on us today,” Imagine Coach Jeppe Bennetsen said. “They introduced us to this district, it will be a different game when we play them again, but they welcomed us real nice.”

Solomon Obidiegwu led the way for Saint John Neumann by catching five passes for 122 receiving yards with three touchdowns –all in the first half. Starting running back John Augustin also stood out by running for 121 yards on the ground with a touchdown and ran an 86 yard kickoff back into the end zone.

Last season, Saint John Neumann ran a two-quarterback system for the entire year and this time it was no different as rising seniors Tylor Dimond and Cameron Joyce split time throughout the game. They threw for 98 and 128 yards, respectively, and notched two touchdowns apiece.

“They both looked good; it’s hard to settle on just one because they work so hard out there and they have pushed each other to that next level,” Celtics coach Steve Howey said.

“I think Tyler might have thrown the ball better and Cameron ran the ball better so it’s a two-headed monster.”

Imagine quarterback Anthony Stephens had a game high 228 rushing yards on 18 carries with his two touchdown runs going for 76 and 79 yards.

Saint John Neumann 49, Imagine School 24

1st quarter

SJN: Obidiegwu 52 yard pass from Joyce (Sanderson Kick)

SJN: Clark 55 yard pass from Dimond (Sanderson Kick)

2nd quarter

SJN: Obidiegwu 13 yard pass from Dimond (Sanderson Kick)

IS: Stephens 76 yard run (Harris Kick)

SJN: RayRay Perry 74 yard kickoff return (Sanderson Kick)

SJN: Obidiegwu 22 yard pass from Joyce (Sanderson Kick)

3rd Quarter