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Catholic Central stepped up, rose to the occassion

LOOKING AHEAD — Catholic Central’s Justin Hartzell rushes against Edison on Friday. (Photo by Joe Catullo)

RICHMOND — Catholic Central rose to the occasion in Friday’s 33-14 victory over Edison at Cartwright Memorial Field, and Steve Daley couldn’t have been more proud of his football team.

“We battled through some adversity with a few things this week, and the kids rose to the occasion,” Daley said after watching his Crusaders improve to 3-1. “These 23 guys who suited up for us tonight, I’d take them any day of the week. They have my back no matter what.

“They work hard, and they deserve support. When things are said, these kids hear them. Get behind them — that’s all I’m asking.”

Central’s defense rebounded from a sub-par performance in a Week 3 loss to Southern Local by collecting five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumble recoveries) and delivering several quarterback sacks (senior linemen Jordan Maul had a pair). Two of the turnovers resulted in touchdowns.

With the visitors clinging to a 14-7 third-quarter lead and the Wildcats driving for a possible tying score, senior Noah Fayak stripped the ball from an Edison receiver and raced 65 yards for a touchdown. Matt Bell, another senior, sealed the deal when he stepped in front of an Anthony Sinicropi pass and went 40 yards for the game’s final six-pointer.

“Fayak came up with a big defensive play when we needed it most,” Daley said. “He’s a heck of a football player and that was a heads up, outstanding play.

“This was a big win for us, and I’m so proud of our kids. It was just a tremendous job by our defense. I thought we played much more physical tonight, and our defense came up with two big scores. You don’t always have to do it offensively.”

After its defense came through with a three-and-out to start the game, Central’s offense struck quickly, traveling 64 yards in just four plays. The touchdown came on a 21-yard sprint by senior quarterback Justin Hartzell.

The Crusaders appeared ready to strike again, taking over at the Wildcat 20 following a short punt. Edison’s Dakota Clifton, however, stopped that threat when he pulled the ball from Hartzell’s hand and traveled 85 yards for a touchdown. Carter Montgomery’s kick made it 7-7.

“That was a great play by Clifton,” first-year Edison coach Shane O’Brien said. “I’m not sure everyone knew exactly what was going on there. His touchdown definitely allowed us to game some momentum and gave us a shot of positivity early in the game.”

Edison got the ball right back following Clifton’s score when Zane Dean pounced on Montgomery’s short kick. The Wildcats moved from Central’s 35 to the 13 where the drive ended on Anthony Lefever’s interception. Lefever also had a fumble recovery.

Daley’s crew then moved 92 yards in nine plays, all but 13 of the yards coming on the ground, to go up 14-7. Jeffrey Dawson did the honors with an 8-yard run. Jarred Roberts added the extra point.

Central’s defense would deliver two more times before the half. Lefever recovered an Edison fumble near midfield, then Edison was stopped cold on a fourth down play from the Crusader 15.

Fayak’s strip and run was the only score of the third quarter. Sinicropi got Edison on the board in the fourth with a 1-yard sneak. Central’s other offensive score came on a 7-yard Hartzell pass to Dom Argentine, which followed an interception by Anthony Simmons.

Central finished with 290 yards of offense (227 on the ground and 63 through the air). Hartzell ran for 87, and Jayden Keeder contributed 64.

“We did struggle offensively tonight, but the defense picked up the slack,” Daley said. “I decided to go for it on fourth down late in the game because I didn’t want to punt and put the ball in Sinicropi’s hands. The defense rose up and made a stop.”

Edison had 210 yards offensively. Sinicropi finished with 149 yards passing. Bryce McAfoose caught five Sinicropi passes, while freshman Tyler Griffith hauled in four.

“Effort wasn’t a problem for us tonight, it was making mistakes (in addition to the five turnovers, the Wildcats also were hit with nine penalties) and not taking advantage of certain opportunities.” O’Brien said. “Central took advantage of the opportunities they were given, and that’s what hurt us tonight.”

Central, which now holds a 5-1 lead in its series with Edison, will travel to Warren JFK on Saturday. The 2-2 Wildcats will entertain Beaver Local Friday.

“We see improvements in certain areas, then we see other areas where we still have work to do,” O’Brien said. “That’s what films and practice are about, to keep improving on things we need to work on and keep looking at the whole picture.

“I told the guys we can use this loss as a positive or a negative experience. We really need to make it a positive, learn from it and move forward.”

Catholic Central 33, Edison 14

Central 7 7 6 13 — 33

Edison 7 0 0 7 — 14

CENTRAL: Hartzell 21 run (Roberts kick)

EDISON: Clifton 85 fumble return (Montgomery kick)

CENTRAL: Dawson 8 run (Roberts kick)

CENTRAL: Fayak 65 fumble return (kick failed)

EDISON: Sinicropi 1 run (Montgomery kick)

CENTRAL: Argentine 7 pass from Hartzell (run failed)

CENTRAL: Bell 40 interception return (Roberts kick)

RUSHING: Catholic Central 36-227-2 (Hartzell 13-87-1; Keeder 10-64; Fayak 2-11; Dawson 1-6-1; Fallon 5-33; Bell 5-26); Edison 36-61-1 (Sinicropi 12-(-7)-1; Waggoner 17-50; Shrieve 1-3; Clifton 6-15).

PASSING: Catholic Central 7-9-63-1-1 (all by Hartzell); Edison 17-30-149-0-3 (Sinicropi 17-29-149-0-3; Woods 0-1)

RECEIVING: Catholic Central 7-63-1 (Fayak 2-26; Lefever 1-13; Keeder 1-1; Argentine 2-20-1; Sprochi 1-3); Edison 17-149 (McAfoose 6-44; Woods 3-32; Higgs 1-3; Shrieve 1-2; Waggoner 2-21; Griffith 4-47).

FIRST DOWNS: Catholic Central 14; Edison 13.

PENALTIES-YARDS: Catholic Central 5-45; Edison 9-70.

PUNTS: Catholic Central 3-32; Edison 5-33.

FUMBLES-LOST: Catholic Central 1-1; Edison 3-2.

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