Knights down Braves in season opener

The St. Mary's Knights continued where they left off.

The two-time defending city, NOSSA and Central Bowl champion Knights opened the high school football league senior division season with a convincing 42-13 win over the Bawating Braves on Thursday night at Rocky DiPietro Field.

The Knights used one big play after another as St. Mary's spread their offense among a plethora of game breaking talent on offense.

Andrew Baziuk opened the scoring for the Knights with a 12 yard touchdown run that capped a lengthy four play drive. Running back Dan Esson took St. Mary's opening play 41 yards down field to set the tone.

Bawating, which had good success on offense throughout the game, responded in the second quarter when Kyle Gauthier caught a 10 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mike Storozuk. Esson blocked the ensuing convert to keep the Knights ahead 7-6.

Esson then opened the lead with an 11 yard run before adding another score on a one yard carry late in the first half to give the Knights a 21-6 lead.

In the second half, Phil Ruicci put the Knights ahead 28-6 with a 23 yard reception from veteran quarterback Anthony Amadio. On their next possession, Andrew Posteraro, who also kicked six converts, caught a 31 yard touchdown pass from Amadio.

Brad Radbourne added a fourth quarter score for the Braves on a 14 yard reception from Storozuk before Baziuk capped the scoring with a 62 yard run for St. Mary's.

Baziuk led the Knights rushing attack with 83 yards on three carries while Esson added 75 yards on six carries and Chris Lebel scampered for 67 yards on four carries. Amadio completed four of nine passes for 100 yards including two completions to Ruicci for 68 yards.

Radbourne led the Braves with 73 yards on 21 carries while Gauthier, who also added a convert, topped all players with eight catches for 146 yards. Storozuk completed 11 of 20 passes for 158 yards.

Defensively for the Knights, Giancarlo Perra, Dan Perri and Conan Sawko each recorded 5.5 tackles while Jeff Buchan added 4.5. Baziuk returned an interception 37 yards while Sawko also recorded a pick.

Kyle Lanteigne led the Braves with 4.5 tackles while Kyle Oldham and Gauthier added four each.

Action in the senior loop continues on Friday with St. Basil meeting Korah at 7:30 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field. The same two schools will meet in the junior contest beginning at 4:15 p.m. at Korah.

On Saturday, Sir James Dunn visits White Pines with the junior game slated for 10 a.m. at White Pines and the senior game at 1 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field.