On Thursday, November 13, Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School welcomed Fox 29’s Bob Kelly to campus for a high-spirited pep rally celebrating the Saints Football Team and their advancement to the first round of the 3A PIAA State Championship. The excitement kicked off early, with Bob and his photographer arriving by 8:45 AM for a live teaser at the top of the 9:00 AM hour, followed by another live hit leading into a three-minute segment at 9:30 AM that aired across the region.
The celebration began promptly at 9:00 AM with NG seniors Alfred Greenman, Egypt Rentie, Keenan Utsey, and additional student-athletes joining Bob Kelly on camera to give viewers a first look at the morning’s energy. Minutes later, students were dismissed to the gym, greeted with a tunnel of cheerleaders and the unmistakable rhythm of the Saints Drumline as they filled the bleachers.
At 9:25 AM, the pep rally officially got underway. Student emcees opened with prayer and welcomed the crowd before giving a booming introduction to Bob Kelly, who received a thunderous ovation from the student body. The NG Cheerleaders set the tone with an electric first performance, warming up the crowd as anticipation built for the main event.
The gym erupted as the NG Football Team burst through a hand-painted banner held by the cheerleaders, powered by the drumline’s beat. Players sprinted to the far end of the court, where Fox 29 conducted interviews against custom NG backdrops. Bob Kelly spoke with several Saints players, spotlighting their season accomplishments, team chemistry, and excitement heading into the state quarterfinals.
Watch the segment here: https://www.fox29.com/video/1740269
During the rally, students celebrated the team’s impressive 8–4 record, their 3A Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, and their 3A District 11 Championship—achievements that now place them just three wins away from a state title.
The program continued with recognition of NG’s All-Catholic athletes across First, Second, and Third Teams, followed by remarks from team captains Alfred Greenman and Jelane Richardson, who invited the entire school community to support the Saints in their upcoming 3A PIAA State Quarterfinal game.
The cheerleaders returned for a second performance, igniting even more school spirit before the rally transitioned to student participation. Three students were selected at random to attempt a football-throw challenge—testing their accuracy by aiming for a target of balloon rings at the far end of the gym. Cheers from classmates echoed throughout the building as participants took their best shot.
The morning concluded with a final round of applause for the Saints Football Team before administration dismissed students to the beat of the drumline.
The event showcased what makes Neumann Goretti special—tradition, unity, talent, and unwavering school pride. We thank Fox 29 and Bob Kelly for celebrating with our community and giving the region a front-row seat to the Saints’ incredible momentum.
Best of luck to our Saints as they continue their pursuit of the 3A State Championship!
