Winchester Leads Patriots Past Pacelli in GHSA Playoffs

Aaron Winchester had a hand in all six Mount Pisgah touchdowns as the Patriots defeated St. Anne Pacelli 40-7 Friday night at Savior Field. The win advances Pisgah (11-0) to the second round of the GHSA Class A Private School playoffs, where they will host Holy Innocents on November 29.

Winchester threw for 179 yards and five touchdowns and ran for another score to lead the offense. Ben Miller was on the receiving end of four of Winchesters scoring passes, finishing with 99 yards receiving on five catches.

“Aaron had a great game,” said Head Coach Mike Forester. “The guy is just amazing. He has great vision for the field and is able to escape and find a receiver.

The Patriots wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, scoring on their first possession. Winchester capped an 11 play drive with a 22 yard scoring pass to Miller. On the ensuing kickoff, Chase Clark's shallow kick landed in between the first two lines of the Vikings special teams unit, was fumbled by Pacelli and then recovered by the Patriots John O'Connor. Five plays later Winchester found Miller again, this time for a 15 yard score.

Before the first quarter was over Winchester connected with Browning Dunn on a 52 yard touchdown pass to give Pisgah a 19-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Winchester used his legs for his next score, rushing nine yards for a touchdown. The junior signal caller went back to the air for the Patriots final two scores, throwing touchdown passes of 50 and 5 yards to Miller. It was 40-0 at halftime.

The defense did its part forcing four first half turnovers. Nicky Piccapietra, Oz Dixon and JR Cendoya all came down with interceptions, while O’Connor recovered another Viking fumble. The defense had two fourth down stops, including one on Pacelli’s first possession which set the tone for the rest of the game.

Piccapietra led the defense with eight tackles. Ian Ainsworth finished with seven stops. Blake Smith, Shingi Chigwere, Oz Dixon and Patrick Messinger each tallied six tackles.

In addition to his 179 passing yards, Winchester rushed for another 32 yards on six carries. Dixon carried the ball ten times for 48 yards.

“We played well. We took advantage of the things that were given to us,” said Forester. “They loaded the box against us. If you are going to load the box then we’ll throw deep.”

The win came in the first home playoff game in school history. It was also the first GHSA playoff win for the Patriots.

“The fans were awesome. That’s the most people I’ve ever seen here,” added Forester.

Pisgah will host Holy Innocents next week in the second round of the playoffs. The Golden Bears (7-4) were 27-17 winners over Landmark on Friday.

“I’m hoping the fever continues and we’re loading this place up again,” Forester said.