Congratulations to the Catholic League, who claimed victories in the District 12 A, AA, and AAA championship games on Friday, Nov. 1 at Northeast High School.

Conwell-Egan faced Philadelphia Academy Charter for the District 12 1A championship. Conwell-Egan ran away with this one, putting 5 past PAC. PAC saved themselves the ignominy of a shut-out by finding one. Bucks Local News has a report that includes video from the game. Conwell-Egan next faces New Hope-Solebury on Tuesday at 3 pm in the first round of the PIAA A boys’ soccer championship. The game will take place at Northeast High School.

Lansdale Catholic faced Franklin Towne Charter for the D12 2A Championship. While most had put this down as a landslide victory for the team from our northern suburbs, FTC fought hard and rolled into the halftime break with a tie score of one to one. They were organized in defense in the second half, releasing pressure with a long ball out of the half when possible. Lansdale probed and prodded but FTC remained resolute. Heartbreak ensued for the valiant FTC squad when Michael Lewis of Lansdale left footed a shot through the outstretched legs of the last defender with only one minute left. The strike proved decisive and Lansdale were the 2-1 winners. They’ll face Holy Ghost Prep in the first round of the PIAA AA boys’ soccer championship on Tuesday at Council Rock North High School at 5 pm.

FTC head coach Dennis Drumm said, “We had a tough season. A lot of things didn’t go our way, but this is a result we can be proud of.” FTC finished eighth in the A Division of the Public League, while Lansdale Catholic beat Catholic League powerhouses La Salle and Roman to reach the final.

The final game of the day featured Public League champions Central vying with Catholic League champion Father Judge, the team the Inquirer ranks number one in the region. The winner would represent District 12 as the 3A champion.

Readers of this column will know that I’m the head coach of Central. I put the team in a 4-5-1, knowing the strength of Judge’s midfield, where future La Salle University players Joe Hansen and Ryan Nork are the engine. Judge came on strong, but Central valiantly defended, making brief counter-attacking forays into Judge’s half. At the end of the first 45 minutes the score was level at 0-0.

In the second half Judge converted a free kick that bounced once before Abrahem Krama corralled it, nimbly swiveling and smashing it home. Judge then resorted to holding the ball. While Central managed a few half chances, and worked hard to get up in the last ten minutes, Judge was able to hold on and win the championship. They next face West Chester Rustin at 7 pm on Tuesday at Northeast High School in the first round of the PIAA AAA boys’ soccer championship.

As I told my kids in the huddle afterwards, to lose to Judge by one goal was a success. They beat their last three play-off opponents by two or more goals.