By Larry Moko
The 2025 Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic senior high school football season kicked off Friday and the three-time-defending-champion Bishop Tonnos Titans again find themselves as leaders of the pack.
The Titans got off to a fast start in Week 1 with a 42-7 victory over the St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves.
Elsewhere, the St. Thomas More Knights edged the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals, 21-14, while the St. Mary Crusaders topped the Cathedral Gaels, 29-15.
"I'm happy with the way we performed," Tonnos coach Anthony Tassone said. "We've got a group of leaders that are back. They provide guidance to the younger players. I think our football IQ is as high as it has ever been."
Joseph Cafagna sparked Tonnos with two key back-to-back plays -- one on defence and the other on offence. First, he intercepted a pass. Then, on BT's first play from scrimmage, he grabbed a 33-yard touchdown pass.
Tonnos, which led 28-7 at the half, also got two touchdowns each by Joey Jaf-Taylor and Sebastien Ortiz.
Johnny Theodoropoulos rounded out the scoring with six conversions.
For Brébeuf, Phoenix Lazar capped an impressive drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Reno Calleri added the extra point.
"It was a good game," Braves coach Vinny Didiomede said. "I don't think the score indicated how the match-up played out.
"We had a lot of young players who got a good taste of senior football. They did really well. Tonnos is a strong team and they're well coached."
Veteran running back/linebacker Jaf-Taylor rushed for 92 yards on 10 carries. His touchdown runs were both from one-yard out.
"I believe I put some stats up," said Jaf-Taylor, "but I also have lots of stuff to work on. I had a fumble (after a big gain) and a couple of missed tackles. That's usually not me."
Jaf-Taylor's leadership was also evident during a prolonged player injury delay in the third quarter. During that time he spoke to concerned players from both teams who formed a circle at midfield.
"Joey has to be one of the most coachable kids I've ever come across," Tassone said. "He's so well-composed at practice and even-keeled in games. He's a great football player and team man."
Tonnos quarterback Hudson Taylor completed six of nine pass attempts for 162 yards and three touchdowns.
Receiver Sebastien Ortiz hauled in four of those tosses -- including scoring strikes of 32 and two yards.
Braves quarterback Michael Caprio was his team's leading ground-gainer with nine carries for 50 yards. He also connected on eight of 14 pass attempts for 61 yards.
"Michael is excellent," the Brebeuf coach said. "He's a big game-film junkie and student of the game. We'll make sure we get this film up so we can learn from it."
Tassone said the calibre of football is high in Hamilton and "in this league every game is a battle."
Photos by Richard Andoga
More photos on the HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page here
