The Crusaders (5-1) had their foot on the gas from the get-go, defeating visiting Archbishop Williams (3-3), 34-6, Friday night under the lights at Donaldson Field.
Anthony Nichols had a big game, running for two touchdowns and catching another. Quarterback Brayden Clifford (5-for-18, 81 yards) threw for one and ran for another. Kicker Aidan Silva had a perfect performance, converting three-of-three extra points and two field goals. Luke Connolly and Nichols combined for 219 rushing yards with Connolly picking up 146 yards on 13 carries, and Nichols (2 catches, 37 yards) picking up 73 yards on 10 carries.
While the offensive unit was firing on all cylinders, Fenwick coach Dave Woods said it was all about the defense.
“The boys played great,” he Woods said. “[But] the key was definitely our defense. “They (Bishops) only completed two passes all night and had a total of 73 yards of offense. Luke Connolly shut down their best receiver as he didn’t have a catch and Tyler Connolly and Dylan Patturelli led us in tackles from their linebacking spots.”
Nichols staked Fenwick to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter with two scores, the first on a 20-yard pass from Clifford and second on a 9-yard run. Nichols made it a 21-0 game in the second with a 7-yard run. Clifford followed with a 4-yard quarterback keeper to bump the Crusaders’ lead to 28-0 at halftime. Silva capped the scoring with field goals of 35 yards and 20 yards in the third.
Williams’ Joe Schwartz spoiled the shutout in the fourth quarter with a 39-yard rushing TD.
Woods said the offensive line was also a key factor in the win.
“Luke and Anthony ran the ball great and our offensive line played its best game of the year,” Woods said. “And Louis Levenishti, John Kennedy, Aidan Byrne, Reid Smith, Tyler Santos, and tight end Mike Zaimi. Dylan Patturelli (5 carries for 21 yards, 9-yard reception) also blocked awesome out of the backfield.”
Jesse Timson (27-yard reception), Mike Zaimi (15-yard reception) and Joe Moreau (3 rushes for 9 yards) also contributed.
Fenwick is back in action Thursday night at home against Bishop Feehan (6 p.m.), but it won’t be easy. Woods said the game will be the Crusaders’ biggest test of the season.
“Bishop Feehan will be the best team we have played so far,” he said. “Their defense is outstanding. The have 12 interceptions in the last two games, and have returned seven of them for touchdowns, so we have our work cut out for us on offense. And, for us defensively, they have a lot of weapons we have to try to slow down. Their quarterback is outstanding and they have four very good receivers. We will have to lean on our offensive line again for sure.”
