By Larry Moko
The two-time defending champion Bishop Tonnos Titans won a defensive battle Friday to take over as the lone remaining undefeated team in Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic high school football.
Tonnos improved to 3-0 on the season with a 12-7 decision over the Celtics at Bishop Ryan. It was BR's first loss in four starts.
"Defence on both sides of the ball was tremendous," Celtics coach Jim Davies said.
The Titans led 5-1 at the half thanks to a 26-yard field goal by Johnny Theodoropoulos -- playing his first football game -- and a safety touch.
The two-point safety occurred on the third play from scrimmage when a high snap from centre sailed into the end zone over punter Lucas Horvat's head.
Bishop Ryan's only point before the intermission came by way of a missed field goal by Horvat.
The visitors then strung together a scoring drive on their opening possession of the second half. Running back Mark Yeudall gained eight and 24 yards along the ground before bursting up the middle with a 27-yard touchdown dash.
The convert was added by Theodoropoulos.
Bishop Ryan gained some momentum late in the third quarter, however, by way of an interception. On the play, a pass popped out of the arms of a Tonnos receiver directly into the grasp of Celtics linebacker Levi Snider. And that led to a seven-play scoring drive capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass that quarterback Ben Bowden floated to running back Kyler Bailey-Johnson in the end zone.
Defence gave the Celtics another lift late in the contest. On a third-and-three play, Tonnos turned the ball over on downs when the ballcarrier was stopped short by linebacker Davieon Davis-Morris's tackle. Bishop Ryan took over at their own 47-yard line with one minute, 56 seconds remaining but couldn't take advantage of the opportunity.
"Our offence just has to do a better job of executing," Davies said. "I knew our defence would keep us in the game."
According to both team's coaches, a key was how well Tonnos defended against BR receiver and return ace Ben Kingston.
"They knew that Ben Kingston is one of the best receivers in the league," Davies said. "And they were well prepared to defend against him."
The Tonnos attack this season is being guided by first-year senior starting quarterback Hudson Taylor. His brother, Jackson, played for both Titan title teams and is currently a standout receiver in the university ranks with the McMaster Marauders.
A mobile quarterback, Taylor is confident Tonnos can put more points on the board. "It's not what we wanted on offence," he said. "We were driving the ball but we just couldn't finish in the end zone. We had to settle for field goals some times, which let the other team get back in the game."
An effective option run by Taylor late in the contest maintained possession for Tonnos and avoided a last-gasp opportunity by the Celtics.
"Hudson is an incredible leader," Tonnos coach Anthony Tassone said. "He knows how to control the offence. Offensively we sputtered a couple of times today but I think we'll be alright in the long term. Hudson is looking better and better."
Elsewhere, the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals defeated the St. Mary Crusaders, 42-7, and the St. Jean de Brébeuf Braves edged the Cathedral Gaels, 21-9. The St. Thomas More Knights were idle.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
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