Knights win battle of the unbeaten (Updated)

The St. Mary's Knights used their power and speed on offense to win the High School Football League's battle for first over the St. Basil Saints.

Heading into Friday night's senior division contest at Rocky DiPietro Field, both teams sported 2-0 records.

But Knights' running back Jeff Greco proved to be too much to handle as he scored five touchdowns to pace St. Mary's to the 56-20 victory.

In all, Greco ran for 188 yards on 15 carries and four touchdowns while catching two passes for 64 yards and one major.

Quarterback John Mullin also took advantage of his big play receivers and threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns.

Greco set the tone early as he took the first play from scrimmage 56 yards for the score. Before the quarter was out, Greco added another touchdown from three yards out and Michael Martens scored his first of two touchdowns on a 35 yard reception from Mullin.

Despite the early deficit, the Saints continued to battle and pulled back into the game at 21-13 with two early second quarter touchdowns as fullback Jesse Butorac pounded one in from nine yards out while Steve Fantin scored another on a 50 yard scamper.

Both St. Basil scores were set up by hook and ladder plays where quarterback Mike Tassone threw passes to Kevin Smith, who then pitched the ball back to Fantin for the run. The second play led directly to a major while the first set up Butorac's score.

But the Knights continued to score as Greco tallied on a one yard run and Martens ran back a punt 75 yards to grab a 35-13 lead at the half.

In the second half, Butorac scored his second touchdown on a four yard run but St. Mary's capped the scoring as Mark Devuono hauled in a 53 yard pass from Mulln and Greco added a 47 yard catch and run and a four yard scamper.

Ricky Lamon kicked eight converts for the Knights and Steve Pandzic two for the Saints.

Mike Esson finished with 80 yards rushing on 12 carries for the Knights while Mullin completed eight of 12 passes. DeVuono caught five passes for 120 yards.

Defensively for St. Mary's, Jordan Verdone led with nine tackles while Sean Bissonette added seven and Jason Amadio six. Esson recovered a fumble and recorded an interception.

For the Saints, Butorac finished with 116 yards on 19 carries and Fantin 113 yards on five rushes. Tassone completed 14 of 19 passes for 111 yards including five passes to Smith for 69 yards and five more to Fantin for 25 yards.

On defense, Isaak Wickstrom and David Pozzebon made six tackles each while the team recorded four sacks.

*** JUNIOR DIVISION:

In junior, St. Basil improved to 3-0 with a 21-0 win over St. Mary's, who fall to 2-1.

Brian Greco, James Reville and Fraser Speakman scored touchdowns while Brent Seaton kicked three converts.