Patrick Banning hopes to have a monster senior season with the Saints. Photo by Al Thompson.

It didn’t take Patrick Banning to get over the mourning process that all athletes endure when their season prematurely ends. The Neumann-Goretti 6-foot-2, 287-pound two-way lineman took a day off, after the Saints lost to Dunmore, 30-18, in the PIAA Class AA state quarterfinals. The following day, he was back in the weight room working on this coming 2015 season.

This will be Banning’s team. The junior leader will most probably be voted a team captain, and new Saints coach Dan Concannon will be relying on Banning, a second-team all-Catholic League choice, to be a cornerstone for what promises to be another good Neumann-Goretti team again.

Neumann-Goretti experienced an historic season. The Saints won their first Catholic League Class AA title in school history, and then followed that up by winning the District 12 Class AA crown, or city title, by beating Prep Charter.

“We lost a lot to graduation, and we have a new coaching staff, but I still think we’re going to do very well next season,” Banning said. “This team is like a family. We all stick together. I knew I had to step up as a leader last year, and we had two great seniors that were a big help. We all had to step it up as a team, and we did. I started my sophomore year, but I knew I had to bring my game up. I like what we’re returning. I’m already in the weight room, and the guys are all working really hard. I think we have a chance to do really well.”

Banning wanted to win a Catholic League and city championship, which he achieved. Banning, who throws the shot putt and discus for the Saints in the spring, has been playing football since second grade. He admits he didn’t know what he was doing, but then again, he was a kid learning about the game as was playing.

Four out of the five offensive linemen for the 2015 Saints – from left to right are: Eric Furey, Naquise Childs, Rasheed Saunders and Patrick Banning. Photo by Al Thompson

There was something unique that formed early. Banning likes to do something on a football field not many like to do … “that’s block, I love blocking,” he said. “I was always big for my age. So they first put me on the line. I’ve always played on the line. I did get to carry the ball one time in the fifth grade. I carried the ball five yards and it took a few kids to get me down. I like playing offensive line. I like blocking. I know that’s kind of funny to hear. But I really like to block.I love doing my job. I think it’s fun. I like to protect people.”

Concannon is pleased with Banning’s attitude.

“Since the day I’ve arrived at Neumann-Goretti, Pat has shown great leadership,” Concannon said. “Just looking at Pat on film, he’s an impressive young man on the field as well. Pat has been in the weight room every day, and he does conditioning work on the weekends. As a coach, you can’t ask for anything else better than a kid with an attitude like that. Pat really gets off the ball well and he has really good technique. He has good habits and great hands. He plays through the whistle, which is everything you look for in a tackle. That really jumps put on film—and you can tell Pat really enjoys it. Pat loves to get after it. He wants to win every battle each play.”