St. Mark's Wins Battle of Saints 35-28 Over St. Elizabeth's

St. Mark's football team improved to 8-1 on the season after defeating Catholic Conference rival St. Elizabeth's 35-28 Friday night at home, in a hotly contested and well-played game.
The outcome of the competition wasn't decided until there was less than a minute remaining, as the playoff bound Spartans put together a balanced drive that ended with senior running back Shaquan Brown scoring the winning touchdown, his second tally of the evening.
After trailing 21-14 at the half, and 28-14 after three quarters, Viking's senior Andre Patton put the team on his broad shoulders. In the fourth quarter, the versatile player scored on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Christian Qwynn to cut the lead to one touchdown. Minutes later, he then tied the game 28-28 on a ten-yard run.
Patton had opened the scoring in the first quarter after intercepting a Spartan pass and returning 13 yards for a touchdown. Senior kicker Adam Szczerba then kicked his first of four consecutive conversions to give the Vikings an early 7-0 lead. But the Spartans were not to be denied on the frosty and windy evening.
St. Mark's rallied for two touchdowns in the second quarter on a 6-yard run by sophomore fullback Markquise Normand, his second rushing touchdown of the game, and another by Shaquan Brown late in the second quarter for a seven-point haftime lead.
The 5-4 Vikings have a slim chance to make the DIAA Division-Two State Football Tournament next week, but will need to finish the season with a victory over Archmere Academy Saturday evening at Baynard Stadium in Wilmington. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Spartans, meanwhile, wrap up the regular season with an exciting matchup against arch-rival Salesianum Friday evening at 7:30 p.m., also at Baynard Stadium. The Sals are also 8-1, with their only loss coming at the hands of Middletown High several weeks ago. St. Mark's only loss was to powerhouse Downington East (PA) in early October.