Paul Sacco’s legendary career as the St. Joseph (Hamm.) football coach ended after 41 seasons on Wednesday night with a 42-17 loss at Winslow Township.
The Wildcats trailed 14-10 in the fourth quarter before a bad punt snap led to a back-breaking Winslow score, and the Eagles put the game away with three late touchdowns.
Jimmy Wilson threw five touchdown passes, three to Ejani Shakir – who de-committed from Penn State this week - and two to Cam Miller as Winslow finished its season 6-4.
Sacco ended his career at St. Joseph (Hamm.) with a record of 358-75-5 and 20 state championships. He is South Jersey’s all-time winningest coach, the third-winningest coach in state history and did not have a losing record in 41 seasons.
With such an inexperienced team short on numbers, it appeared this could be his only losing season, but he rallied the team to a 6-4 record and appearance in the Non-Public B state semifinals.
“It’s been an emotional year, it’s been a roller coaster,” said Sacco. “I say it over and over, I’m glad I stayed with these kids. We weren’t very talented. It’s been a wonderful experience at St. Joe, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Sometimes things change. I’m proud of the kids.
“We lost that first game and people were saying we might not win any games, and I was thinking the same thing, but we won five in a row and I said these kids have character. I wish we would have played a little better tonight, but it is what it is. I got an opportunity to coach under Chuck Donahue, who showed me everything. I never thought I was better than anybody. I’m just a little high school football coach in a little catholic school in a little tiny town of Hammonton.”
Sacco thanked his parents who attend most of his games, and his wife who gave him the backing to put his all into the program. In 2010, Sacco was hospitalized with bleeding on the brain and he was back coaching within weeks, leading the Wildcats to a championship.
“Ninety-nine percent of my waking hours have been spent at St. Joe’s,” said Sacco. “Maybe it’s time I get a little bit of a break and spend a little more time with my family.”
Sacco said he plans to coach next year, though it won’t be at St. Joseph (Hamm.). He made the decision this would be his last season with the Wildcats after a pre-season meeting with school administrators.
Initially, Sacco considered resigning prior to the season but he decided to stay on to coach a team that finished the season with 26 players and a new coaching staff yet went 6-4 against one of South Jersey’s toughest schedules and won a playoff game.
It might have been one of Sacco’s better coaching jobs, and his players were grateful he stayed around. Sacco said the emphasis he always places on weight training perhaps kept the small roster healthy enough to navigate the season.
“Everybody said this wouldn’t be the same St. Joe’s team, but we battled,” said senior QB Jimmy Mantuano, who scored on a touchdown run Wednesday. “Not one game was easy, we came back so many times. I’m just so proud it was a great season. It kills me inside that we couldn’t send the legend out with a win. I wish some things worked out differently, but it was a great year, I wouldn’t change anything for the world.
“I felt honored (he came back for one last year). The day I found out (he was leaving) I cried like a baby. It was heart-breaking because I’ve waited so long for this senior season. When I found out he was (coaching one more year), that made my effort three times harder. Every play was for him because I couldn’t thank him enough.”
Mantuano said what separated Sacco was the details.
“His work ethic was off the charts, no coach in South Jersey works harder,” said Mantuano. “He just dedicates so much to the school, to the team. I’ve never seen somebody like that in my life. Him and my dad are the two most dedicated people I’ve seen. He’ll be a role model for me my entire life.”
Sacco said Wednesday’s final game was one he knew was coming and wasn’t looking forward to all season.
“From the first scrimmage, I dreaded the last day, I really did,” said Sacco. “It’s probably one of the hardest days of my life. …. But I’ve had a pretty good life.”
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Bill Evans covers the West Jersey Football League. He can be reached at bevans@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BEvansSports
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