Knights blank St. Basil

The St. Mary's Knights proved from the opening kickoff to be too much for the St. Basil Saints to handle.

After building an 8-0 lead just 12 seconds into the contest, the Knights cruised to a 56-0 win in high school football senior division action on Thursday night at Rocky DiPietro Field.

The win improves the Knights record to 3-0 while the Saints drop to 0-3.

After St. Mary's kicked off to begin the contest, the Saints fumbled on the return and Jason Amadio picked up the ball and ran into the end zone from 15 yards out for the early 7-0 lead. Andrew Posteraro then kicked a single on the ensuing kickoff.

On the Knights first offensive play at 3:05, Chris Lebel scampered in for a 56 yard touchdown run.

After the Saints conceded a safety on a punt, Posteraro hauled in a 31 yard reception from quarterback Anthony Amadio for a 24-0 lead after one quarter.

In the second quarter, Lebel scored his second touchdown on a 50 yard run before Mark DeVuono caught a 10 yard touchdown pass from Amadio. With another Posteraro single on a kickoff, the Knights led 39-0 at the half.

In the second half with the game being played under straight time, Lebel scored his third major of the night with a 51 yard reception from Amadio.

Following a conceded safety and a Posteraro punt single, Phil Ruicci capped the scoring with a 49 yard touchdown reception from backup quarterback John Mullin. Posteraro added seven converts.

Lebel's two touchdown runs totaling 106 yards led the Knights rushing attack. Amadio completed five of eight passes for 156 yards while Ruicci caught two passes for 88 yards.

Defensively for the Knights, Giancarlo Perra recorded six tackles and a sack while Conan Sawko added 5.5 tackles and Dan Esson four plus a sack.

For the Saints, Anthony Spina paced the rushing attack with 27 yards on seven carries while quarterbacks Peter MacNamara and Andrew Allen threw for 72 yards. Receiver Tommy Reville caught all five completions. Rob Gulli led the Saints defense with four tackles.

Week three action continues on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field as Bawating (1-1) meets Sir James Dunn (1-0-1). On Saturday at 1 p.m., Korah (1-0-1) faces White Pines (0-2).

*** JUNIOR:

In junior division play on Thursday, Michael Esson, who rushed for 207 yards, scored all four St. Mary's touchdowns as the Knights defeated the Saints 26-7. Jeff Pellegrino kicked two converts.

Kyle Mammarella scored the lone Saints touchdown while Steve Fantin kicked the convert.