Crusaders "Open Up" 2011 In Impressive Fashion

Written by Mario Saggio

Saturday night at Harding Stadium saw Steubenville Catholic Central "open up" the 2011 season - in more ways than one. Under the direction of new head coach Steve Daley, the Crusaders unveiled a new-look spread offense in the Blue-and-Gold’s 35-13 victory over New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central Catholic.

Advocates of old-school football might cringe at the thought of the Crusaders rushing for a mere 13 yards and the visiting Saints controlling the time of possession by a more than three-to-one margin. Even the staunchest of critics, though, had to like what they saw as sophomore quarterback Brenton Colabella threw for 220 yards and four touchdowns, the Catholic Central defense took control in the second half, and Daley’s troops helped him to celebrate his birthday with his first win at the helm of the Crusader program.

Fans got a hint of what was to come on the Crusaders’ first series as they took the opening kickoff and marched from their own 22-yard line to the Saints’ 35, aided by a 31-yard catch and run by senior fullback Jim Panella. The drive ended, though, when senior slotback Brannt Pieniazek, who had a 13-yard reception on the first play from scrimmage, couldn’t reel in Colabella’s fourth-down pass.

It would be one of the few times on the evening that the two did not connect.

The Saints answered with a time-consuming drive of their own, using nine plays to drive from their own 35 to Central’s 33 before Crusader sophomore defensive back Ryan Fletcher broke up Travis Craven’s end-zone pass on fourth down.

The visitors forced the Crusaders into a three-and-out on their next series before Colabellla boomed a 53-yard punt that pinned the Saints back on their own 13-yard line. Three plays later, it was Tusky Catholic who was forced to punt, giving the home team possession at midfield.

Eight plays later, Central struck paydirt as the Colabella to Pieniazek combination connected for a 27-yard score with 34 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The ensuing conversion attempt was wide right, leaving Central’s lead at 6-0.

Tusky Catholic answered with an 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive of their own that culminated in fullback Michael Lawless’ two-yard run with 7:30 left in the half. Michael Pruni’s conversion gave the Saints a 7-6 lead, although it would be short-lived.

Crusader senior return man B.J. Grandinetti fielded the ensuing kickoff at his 12, broke through a gap in coverage, headed for the left sideline, and outran the Tusky Central defenders en route to an 88-yard scoring jaunt that brought the Crusader faithful to their feet and staked his team to a lead that they would not relinquish. Colabella hit Pieniazek for the two-point conversion that upped the lead to 14-7.

Again, the Saints responded, taking over at their own 33 after the kickoff and marching the length of the field with an 18-play scoring drive that was capped by halfback Chris Burley’s one-yard burst with only nine seconds remaining in the half. The visitors were unable to tie the score, though, as Crusader senior Stephen Callaway blocked Pruni’s extra point attempt.

After Central mishandled the visitors’ squib kick, the Saints took over at the Crusader 47 and completed a pass down to the 30, but the play was called back on a holding penalty and the half ended 14-13.

The Crusader defense stiffened in the second half, forcing the visitors to punt after three runs netted only four yards on their initial drive. Taking possession on their own 38, the Crusaders needed only six plays to extend their lead. Completions to senior Jon Emmerling for 30 yards and Pieniazek for 27 set up Colabella’s second scoring toss of the night, a 5-yarder to senior tight end Alex Bednar in the right flat, after he avoided the Saints’ rush. Junior Doug Maslowski split the uprights, giving Central a 21-13 lead with 8:22 remaining in the third quarter.

Tusky Catholic started from their own 20 following a short kickoff return and quickly garnered two first downs before back-to-back penalties hindered the drive. Junior Kevan Zapolnik then recorded the first of consecutive sacks for the Crusaders before senior defensive end Joe Fallon did the same, forcing a fumble that Bednar recovered on the visitors’ 17-yard line.

The scoring threat was quickly squelched, though, as the Crusaders fumbled on first down, giving the Saints the pigskin back at their own 26.

Undaunted, the Crusader defense forced another three-and-out before Fletcher took a Saints’ punt at his own 31 and returned it all the way to the Tusky Catholic 30. One play later, the Crusaders were in the end zone as Colabella again connected with Pieniazek, this time in the right corner of the end zone. Maslowski’s second PAT of the night pushed the Crusader advantage to 28-13.

Taking over on their own 28, the Saints decided to forego a punt on fourth-and-two from their 36 but Central sophomore Khalil Jones’ blanket coverage forced an incompletion that gave the Crusaders excellent field position.

Again, the Crusaders wasted little time in reaching paydirt. A 10-yard completion from Colabella to Fletcher garnered one first down before the sophomore signal-caller fired his fourth touchdown pass of the night, splitting the Saints’ secondary with a bullet to Pieniazek for his third score of the young season, this one from 24 yards out. Maslowski was again perfect on the conversion in capping the night’s scoring.

While Pieniazek led the Crusaders with 121 yards on five receptions, Colabella spread the wealth, connecting with seven different receivers in going 12 for 18 through the air. Emmerling latched onto two passes for 35 yards, while Panella, Fletcher, Grandinetti and Bednar, along with junior wideout Zach Herrington, added one reception apiece.

Despite the limited production from the rushing game, Panella converted two crucial fourth-and-short situations, sustaining drives for the Central offense. Colabella added nine yards rushing on three carries.

The Saints did control time of possession and first downs, by a 16-10 margin, with a strong running game that racked up 200 yards on 59 carries. However, the Crusader defense buckled down in the second half, limiting the Saints to 47 yards rushing on 25 attempts after intermission.

Lawless and Burley each rushed 22 times, gaining 96 and 80 yards, respectively. Alex Lawless added another 30 yards on nine carries.

Saints’ quarterback Craven completed nine of 14 passes for 64 yards, with Burley hauling in five of those for 39 yards. Cade Cummings was on the receiving end of the other four completions, adding 25 more yards through the air.

The Saints will look to rebound this week when they entertain Gates Mills Gilmour Academy Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

The Crusaders return to action this Saturday at Jimmy Carey Stadium in Weirton, taking on the Blue Dons of Weirton Madonna. Although Central owns a 7-3-1 advantage in the all-time series, the Blue Dons have won the last two meetings between these cross-river rivals, and are coming off a 37-12 season-opening win at Pine Grove Valley.

Kickoff for Saturday’s contest is set for 7:00 p.m.