Braves win key match over Saints

It may only be the second week of the season but the Bawating Braves came away with a victory that had serious playoff implications attached to it.

Backed by solid performances from quarterback Mike Storozuk and all-purpose star Kyle Gauthier, the Braves edged the St. Basil Saints 21-6 on Saturday afternoon in high school football senior division action at Rocky DiPietro Field.

With the senior division reverting to the traditional playoff method of only the top four teams qualifying for the post season, the Braves took a giant step toward securing a spot with the win.

With St. Mary's, Korah and Sir James Dunn proving to be dominate teams through two weeks, the Braves took an edge over the Saints with the win should the two teams battle for a playoff spot.

Bawating improves to 1-1 while the rebuilding Saints fall to 0-2.

St. Basil opened the scoring early in the second quarter as Justin Minelli capped a long and impressive scoring drive with a four yard run.

Bawating answered back on the next possession as Storozuk hooked up with Gauthier for a 69 yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 6-6 after two blocked convert attempts.

Gauthier put the Braves in the lead with 25 seconds remaining in the opening half by catching a three yard pass from Storozuk.

Brad Radbourne capped the scoring with a one yard plunge in the fourth quarter. Gauthier added a convert while Dan Vaz caught a two-point conversion from Storozuk.

Storozuk completed eight of 11 passes for 141 yards including six strikes to Gauthier for 112 yards. Radbourne led the rushing attack with 83 yards on 19 carries. Vaz added 30 yards on 11 carries.

Defensively, Geoff Olar led the Braves with six tackles and a blocked kick while Vaz added 5.5 and Kyle Oldham five. Gauthier recorded an interception.

Kyle Hoffman paced the Saints offense with 68 yards on 13 carries while quarterback Peter MacNamara completed five passes for 46 yards including a pair to Jordan Zuke for 24 yards.

Mark Porco led the Saints defense with 12 tackles while Mike Marotta added six and Victor Fata blocked a kick.

*** JUNIOR:

In junior division action on Saturday, the St. Basil Saints rolled past the Bawating Braves 27-0. Scoring details were not reported.

*** UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Thurs., Sept. 30 -- St. Basil vs. St. Mary's Fri., Oct. 1 -- Bawating vs. Sir James Dunn Sat., Oct. 2 -- Korah vs. White Pines

* Senior games begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday while Saturday's contest begins at 1 p.m., all at Rocky DiPietro Field. Junior games begin at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday and Friday while Saturday's matchup begins at 10 a.m., all at the home team's school.

*** STANDINGS:

(wins-losses-ties-points)

Senior Division:

St. Mary's 2-0-0-4 Korah 1-0-1-3 Sir James Dunn 1-0-1-3 Bawating 1-1-0-2 White Pines 0-2-0-0 St. Basil 0-2-0-0

Junior Division:

St. Mary's 2-0-0-4 Korah 2-0-0-4 St. Basil 1-1-0-2 Sir James Dunn 1-1-0-2 White Pines 0-2-0-0 Bawating 0-2-0-0