By Larry Moko
Whatever the St. John Henry Newman Cardinal coaches said to their players during half time, it got the desired result.
The visitors from Newman scored 32 unanswered points after the break en route to a 49-10 senior high football victory over the St. Mary Crusaders Friday.
Elsewhere in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic league, the St. Jean de Brebeuf Braves edged the Cathedral Gaels, 31-28, and the Bishop Ryan Celtics moved into sole possession of first place (4-0) with a 31-7 win over the Tonnos Titans (3-1).
Newman (3-1) gained momentum on St. Mary's opening possession of the third quarter. That's when the Cardinals' defence forced a turnover on downs at the St. Mary 27-yard line.
"I wanted to demonstrate belief in the kids," Crusaders coach Sean Dennison said of the short, third-and-one gamble. "I think that's important. It's tough. It didn't work out."
Within a five-minute span after the intermission, the Cardinals broke open what had been a tight game by putting three converted touchdowns on the scoreboard.
It started with a 14-yard TD run by Marco Moravac. Devin Vandemarel then blocked a Crusaders punt which Nick Hrvatin recovered in the end zone for another six points. And on St. Mary's next possession, defensive back Noah Gallone returned an interception 50 yards for a score.
Following that, a 30-yard field goal by Ethan Crossman, a conceded Crusaders safety touch and Fadyon Fabre's 35-yard touchdown run completed the scoring.
The Cardinals leading pass-catcher was Jaxon Iaquinto -- three for 80 yards and Moravac rushed for 95.
"We challenged the kids at half time to come out and play better football," Newman coach Lino Battilana said. "And they did. I thought we played better in all three aspects -- offence, defence and special teams."
Battilana was impressed with St. Mary's first-half showing, particularly their success through the air.
"Their quarterback (Josh Canzio) was outstanding the way he gets it out so quickly," Battilana added. "We made some adjustments and told our players 'we're not getting enough pressure. Let's get our hands up and try to make the window of opportunity a little more convoluted.'"
A 40-yard punt return by Justin Ledrew got St. Mary (1-4) off on the right foot in the first quarter. It led to a 25-yard field goal by Anthony Lopez that opened the scoring.
Crossman then answered with a 22-yard three pointer.
Moravac gave Newman its first lead with a 31-yard touchdown run before Luca Romeo tied the score again with a 60-yard pass-and-run major from Canzio.
A one-yard plunge by quarterback Landon Coe restored Newman's seven-point advantage heading into the intermission of St. Mary's annual homecoming game.
"Our kids battled," Dennison said. "They felt the lights and the atmosphere. We run a really good homecoming experience and you could see it in their eyes. When they came off the field at the half they felt like they belong to be here.
"Newman is a super-well coached team."
On-field ceremonies recognized the 50th anniversary that St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School celebrated last week. In addition, it has been 50 years since a girls' tackle football team from St. Mary went undefeated against Toronto competition and won the championship.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
