TACKLING DRILL — Catholic Central’s Dan Harris brings down Western Reserve’s Jack Cappabianca Looking on for the Crusaders are Jacob Stoll (77) and Dom Argentine (51). (Mike Mathison)

STEUBENVILLE — Stalled drives and turnovers wreaked havoc on Catholic Central in Saturday’s 20-0 loss to Berlin Center Western Reserve at Harding stadium.

The Crusaders, now 1-2, were victimized by two fumbles, an interception at the Western Reserve goal line and several stalled drives, including one which started at the Blue Devil eight.

“We had some chances that we didn’t capitalize on and that hurt,” Crusader boss Steve Daley said following the first ever meeting between the schools. “We had guys open twice behind their defense. We have to make those connections. Plus we had an opportunity right before the delay deep in their territory, we have to put it in there.”

The opportunity Daley referred to came early in the second half, which began with a driving rain and very high winds. Western Reserve’s first possession produced negative yardage and resulted in a punt from the Devils’ 17. The boot actually went backwards and Central took over at the eight.

The Crusaders, however, were unable to move the football and had to turn it over on downs.

Western Reserve marched 80 yards on its first possession to take lead. The touchdown came on a 35-yard sprint by Wyatt Larimer, who saw time at quarterback, running back and even receiver.

The Blue Devils, who earned their first win in three tries, took advantage of a Central turnover to record their second score. This one came on a two-yard run by Jack Cappabianca. Larimer ran for the conversion making it 14-0.

Central’s defense appeared to deliver a turnover late in the second period thanks to a nifty interception by Brody Mihalyo. The officiating crew, however, waved it off, claiming Mihalyo failed to come down in bounds.

Daley’s squad did get a turnover on the next Western Reserve possession. Stephen Marcino delivered a blow to jar the football loose, Dom Argentine getting the recovery.

The Crusaders then put together a nice drive, moving from their own 18 to the Western Reserve 25. Hayden Daley ran for 34 on the march. Unfortunately, the scoring threat stalled when Larimer picked off a Justin Hartzell pass at the goal line.

“I thought we moved the ball well at times,” Daley stated. “We have to get better at protection. They had pressure on us all night. We have to shore that up.”

That Western Reserve pressure resulted in Hartzell being sacked four times.

After Central failed to capitalize deep in Western Reserve territory, lighting was spotted in the dark skies and both teams were forced from the field for 30 minutes.

Both defenses stiffened on the possessions following the delay. Central was able to get its offense going late in the third. Starting at their own 26, the Crusaders moved to the Western Reserve 35. Hartzell hit Kutch Clark for 19 yards and Mihalyo ripped off 11 on an option play.

Following an incompletion on first down at the 35, Mihalyo was stopped for no gain. Another incompletion followed and Hartzell was thrown for a four yard loss to end the scoring threat.

Western Reserve then launched the game’s final scoring march, going 61 yards. Most of the yardage came via the ground with Austin Seifert, a 225-pound senior, pounding away at the Crusader defense. Larimer rambled into from three yards away.

“We have some kids playing their rear ends off, I can’t fault the effort of the majority of them,” Daley stressed. “Some of the rest of them–well they have to pick it up.

“Right now and it’s not an excuse, we’re a little thin and we’re a little banged up. We have to suck it up and get ready for next week.”

The Crusaders are back in action Friday when they hit the road to test unbeaten Toronto.

Central finished with 165 yards of offense. Hayden Daley paced the running game with 57 yards on seven carries. Matt Bell was on the receiving end of four Hartzell passes.

The Blue Devils compiled 230 yards (157 coming via the ground).

“That’s a real good football team,” Daley said of Western Reserve. “I wouldn’t doubt that you’ll see them playing in Week 11. I think they’ll win the majority of their remaining games and be there at the end.”

Western Reserve 20, Catholic Central 0

Western Reserve     6   8 0  6  —  20

Catholic Central      0  0  0  0  —    0

WR: Larimer 35 run (run failed)

WR: Cappabianca 2 run (Larimer run)

WR: Larimer 3 run (kick failed)

RUSHING:  Western Reserve 44-157-3 ( Larimer 15-46-2; Cappabianca 8-24-1; Seifert 11-40; Velasquez 1-0; Klockenga 3-18; Gatrell 6-29); Catholic Central 36-100 (Hartzell 16-(-5); Mihalyo 10-33; DiBiase 1-7; Leluika 2-9; Daley 7-57).

PASSING:  Western Reserve 6-12-73 (Larimer 4-5-47; Velasquez 2-7-26); Catholic Central 8-19-65-0-1 (all by Hartzell).

RECEIVING: Western Reserve 6-73 (Larimer 2-26; Cappabianca 2-33; Velasquez 1-11; Demksy 1-3); Catholic Central 8-65 (Bell 4-17; DiBiase 2-28; Mihalyo 1-1; Clark 1-19).

FIRST DOWNS: Western Reserve 13; Catholic Central 10.

PENALTIES-YARDS: Western Reserve 7-55; Catholic Central 9-62.

FUMBLES-LOST: Western Reserve 2-1; Catholic Central 3-2.