It was the play of the big game that will more than likely be remembered for years to come.
Mario Manningham's 38-yard reception, with two defenders right on his heels, was the catch that played a major role in the New York Giants beating the New England Patriots on Sunday night and winning their fourth Super Bowl title.
Manningham's church, New Jerusalem Fellowship Church in Warren, held a Super Bowl party and screams could probably be heard all the way outside after the amazing catch.
"You should have heard us here at the church last night, because we were saying Super Mario. They're calling him Super Mario," said Pastor Alton Merrell. "That's what they call him. And they said 'Throw it to Mario! Throw it to Mario!'."
Paul Trina, athletic director at Warren G. Harding, was excited to see the unbelievable catch, but said he wasn't surprised because Manningham was known for coming through during a crunch, even in high school.
"When we were in the playoffs and we needed a big play, he would be the guy to catch a long pass to set up a game-winning field goal against Lakewood St. Edward," said Trina. "He always came up big at key times."
Merrell and Trina are both proud of Manningham's accomplishments on and off the field and his commitment to his community. And they believe the best is yet to come.
"Mario is a home-grown kid that we're Godly proud of, and he doesn't forget where he came from," said Merrell.
"To see somebody that feels that dedicated to his high school, and to see him do that was probably one of the greatest things we've seen here," said Trina.
