Crusaders bounce back for big win in home opener
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STEUBENVILLE -- Dashon Seditz ran for two touchdowns and Tyler Ialenti threw for two more Saturday as Catholic Central rolled to a 36-6 victory over Pittsburgh Carrick in its home opener inside Harding Stadium.
"It's always good to get number one," Central coach Anthony Agresta said after the Parents Night triumph. "We played much better upfront offensively than last week. Our offensive line had something to prove -- I think they wanted to show we can run block and they did a nice job with that.
"The only reason we are a little frustrated is we really think we could be 2-0 right now (the Crusaders dropped a 6-0 verdict to Mathews in Week 1)."
Central took the opening kick and moved 66 yards for the game's first score, which came on a 3-yard Seditz run. The drive took nearly six minutes. Antonio McGinnis' conversion kick made it 7-0.
Carrick, which was playing its season opener, quickly responded when quarterback Rashod Woods scrambled seven yards a TD. The point after kick fell short of its mark.
Agresta's club got a safety midway through the second. On its ensuing possession, Seditz scored on a 15-yard run and the Crusaders took a 15-6 lead into the locker room.
Manual Napoleon, a junior defensive back, extended the Crusader lead in the third when he picked off a Woods pass and sprinted 70 yards to pay dirt.
"Carrick had some athletes and they gave us some trouble when they got their kids in space," Agresta said. "We scouted them well so a couple of things they tried to do to get the ball to their receivers quickly, we were prepared for. That took a little out of their arsenal. But when they threw a 50-50 ball up there, their kids were very capable of making a play.
"The interception return was one of those situations where we prepared for what we saw on the film. Manny did a real good job of doing what he is coached to do and he made a big play for us."
Ialenti, who entered the game when starter Andrew Dorsey went out with an injury, accounted for final Central touchdowns.
The sophomore connected with junior tight end Nico Petrella for a 14-yard score then hit freshman Tommy Pergi for 26 yards. Ialenti's connection with Petrella came on the first play of the fourth quarter. A Napoleon fumble recovery led to the Central possession which ended with Pergi's nifty scoring grab.
"He did a nice job, didn't he?" Agresta responded when asked about Ialenti's performance. "It's always good to see your backup quarterback go in there and not have the moment be too big for him. That's impressive and he impressed tonight."
Seditz, a junior, finished with 138 yards on 31 trips. Todd Jackson, also a junior, added 37 on six carries. He took several snaps from the Wildcat formation once Dorsey was sidelined.
"(Seditz) ran it hard and like I noted, our offensive line played much better," Agresta said. "We were able to get Jackson a few carries and people will see a little more of him as the season goes along. We were able to rotate three or four guys in at tight end which is good.
"I'm a little concerned about Andrew, he sprained his other ankle now. It appears to be a low ankle sprain, not a high ankle injury. Hopefully, he can get healed up quickly. The ankle he hurt last week was about 85-90 percent, so he was good enough to go. When he rolled the other one, there was no need to put him out there and put him at risk."
The Raiders of first-year coach Greg Johnston could generate just 80 yards of offense. They were guilty of four turnovers and drew 20 flags for 161 yards.
The first-ever meeting between the schools lasted nearly three hours and came to an abrupt halt with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
"Coach Johnston is a good man. I had a chance to talk to him early in the week and after the game," Agresta said. "His kids had incurred three personal fouls in about a five-play period. He was concerned that something might happen on the field. Rather than running that risk, he decided to take them off.
"They didn't quit. He was trying to avoid an incident. I can respect that."
UP NEXT
The Crusaders will welcome Jefferson County rival Edison to Harding Stadium Saturday.
Carrick, meanwhile, will return to the area Friday to challenge Madonna.
Catholic Central 36, Carrick 6
Carrick 6-0-0-0 -- 6
Central 7-8-7-14 -- 36
CENTRAL: Seditz 3 run (McGinnis kick)
CARRICK: Woods 7 run (kick failed)
CENTRAL: Safety, Carrick runner downed in end zone
CENTRAL: Seditz 15 run (kick failed)
CENTRAL: Napoleon 70 interception return (McGinnis kick)
CENTRAL: Petrella 14 pass from Ialenti (McGinnis kick)
CENTRAL: Pergi 26 pass from Ialenti (McGinnis kick)
RUSHING: Carrick 15-31-1 (Woods 11-32-1; Adams 3-8 Team 1-(-9)); Central 49-149-2 (Seditz 31-138-2; Dorsey 3-11; Jackson 6-37; Ialenti 1-0; Pergi 1-0; Lamantia 1-0; Rusciano 4-7; Team 2-(-44)).
PASSING: Carrick 4-9-49-int (all by Woods); Central 5-6-67-2 (Dorsey 3-3-27; Ialenti 2-3-40-2).
RECEIVING: Carrick 4-49 (Beasley 3-15; Moore 1-34); Central 5-67-2 (Petrella 2-16-1; Pergi 1-26-1; Ialenti 1-14; McShan 1-11).
FIRST DOWNS: Carrick 6; Central 20.
PENALTIES-YARDS: Carrick 20-161; Central 7-60.
PUNTS: Carrick 1-18; Central 0-0.
FUMBLES-LOST: Carrick 3-3; Central 2-1.