Knights take down the Braves

The St. Mary's Knights opened their defense of the High School Football League senior division championship with a win over the Bawating Braves on Friday night at Rocky DiPietro Field.

But the 35-13 victory for the Knights didn't come easily.

The Braves dominated the first half of play but their inability to score in the red zone allowed St. Mary's to regroup for the final 30 minutes.

The Braves opened the game with a 10:05, 65 yard drive down to the Knights goal line. But a Braves fumble into the end zone was recovered by the Knights Dan Perri, ending the Bawating threat.

The Knights opened the scoring in the second quarter as Mark DeVuono returned a punt 84 yards for the major score.

In the second quarter after the Braves recovered their own punt, running back Dan Vaz broke a sure tackle and scampered 56 yards to the Knights 13 yard line. But a half back option pass was then intercepted by the Knights keeping the Braves off the scoreboard once again.

Despite leading at the half, the Knights were held to just 16 yards of offense on 14 plays while Bawating chewed up 198 yards, including 145 rushing yards from Vaz.

In the second half, the Knights took over and scored 4:36 in as Jeff Greco ran in a 24 yard touchdown.

Before the quarter was out, Michael Martens hauled in a 58 yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Mullin, who ran in another score from one yard out.

DeVuono scored his second touchdown of the night on a four yard reception from Mullin. Ricky Lamon added five converts for St. Mary's.

Joe Storozuk caught two touchdown passes for the Braves in the second half on throws of 18 and eight yards from quarterback Mike Storozuk. Brad Beatty added a convert.

Greco led the St. Mary's rushing attack with 94 yards on seven carries while Michael Esson added 36 yards on nine carries. Mullin completed five of 13 passes for 111 yards, one interception and two touchdowns. Martens caught two passes for 76 yards and DeVuono two more for 35 yards.

Defensively, Jordan Verdone led with eight tackles while Jason Amadio added seven, Mike Blackstock five and Mitchell Currier four. Verdone, Sean Bissonette and Currier each grabbed an interception while Steve Piazza also recovered a fumble.

For the Braves, Vaz finished with 186 yards on 26 carries while Aaron Rooley added 33 yards on eight touches. Mike Storozuk completed 10 of 21 passes for 101 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Joe Storozuk ended with seven receptions for 86 yards.

Zach Clement anchored the Bawating defense with six tackles while Dave Giuletti added five plus an interception. B.J. Bye recovered a fumble.

Week one action concludes on Saturday as the St. Basil Saints meet the Korah Colts at 1 p.m. at Rocky DiPietro Field.

*** JUNIOR DIVISION:

The Knights used touchdowns from Michael Maniacco, Donny McGrath and Adam D'Agostino in an 18-0 win over Bawating.

On Saturday, St. Basil visits Korah at 10 a.m.