By Larry Moko
It's been an impressive start to the senior high school football season for the Bishop Ryan Celtics.
Bishop Ryan improved its record to 3-0 in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic standings with a 43-0 victory Friday over the visiting St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves.
Including previous wins over the Cathedral Gaels and St. Mary Crusaders, the Celtics have out-scored their opponents, 130-0, thus far.
"I don't want to jinx us," BR coach Jim Davies said of the defence's third consecutive shutout.
"They are a very solid unit. They get tremendous coaching from defensive co-ordinator Rob Underhill (a veteran university assistant at McMaster). Our players are prepared and ready thanks to the coaches."
Davies realizes, though, that the tough part of the schedule is about to start for the Celtics. They'll wind up the regular season against teams who all currently have winning records -- the Bishop Tonnos Titans, St. Thomas More Knights and St. John Henry Newman Cardinals.
"The next three games are going to be excellent battles," he said.
Other action Friday saw the Titans defeat the Crusaders, 49-7, and the Knights down the Gaels, 16-6. Newman had a bye week.
Playing the first home date of the 2025 campaign on their new field, the Celtics opened a 29-point lead heading into halftime.
"I'm happy with the way we played," Davies said. "Our offensive line played really well."
Quarterback Jack Redmond engineered the attack, throwing three touchdown passes. He connected for scoring strikes of 28 and 20 yards to Andrew Centurami and 10 yards to Ben Kingston.
"He's coming into his own," the BR coach said of Redmond. "This year is the first time he's been a starter. There's a lot of upside to Jack. He's progressing and learning as he goes."
Kingston added a second touchdown on a cross-field-and-down-the-sideline 65-yard punt-return scamper.
"It was pretty bright and I couldn't really see the ball come down when I caught it," Kingston said of his elusive return. "Luca Horvat (BR's kicker and defensive back) set up a nice block."
According to the Celtics coach, Kingston is a "special talent."
"He plays hard every down and he's got great instincts. His football IQ is through the roof."
The BR running game was effective, too, leading to one and three-yard TD carries in the second half by Jesse Vaccarella and Nolan Pond.
Left-footed kicker Horvat rounded out the scoring with a punt single and six converts.
Said Davies: "Luca had a really good offseason. He worked all summer at becoming a complete kicker. He's shown huge improvement."
The closest Brébeuf came to scoring was when Omaree Francis returned a kickoff 55 yards, only to have the last man (kicker Horvat) push him out of bounds.
Defensive back Lucas Underhill chipped in with an interception for BR.
"We come into practice every day super focused," Kingston said. "Super locked in.
"We've got a quarterback that's slinging the ball and our receivers are making plays. Everyone is just doing their part. Our defence is phenomenal."
Davies said the Braves are an up-and-coming young team with talent and he expects them to challenge next year.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
