2023-10-09 06:17:06
photo by: Andrew Grimm
Steubenville Catholic Central’s Tommy Pergi shakes a tackle from Bridgeport’s Owen Clark during Saturday night’s game at Harding Stadium.
STEUBENVILLE — Early in the season, Steubenville Catholic head coach Eric Meek said one of his team’s goals was to win all of their home games for the seniors.
At least as far as the regular season is concerned, mission accomplished.
Meek’s Crusaders pitched their third-straight shutout on defense in turning in another dominant performance for a 35-0 senior night victory over visiting Bridgeport.
“Another shutout, another great night for the rushing attack, the kids just played great,” Meek said. “I’ve said it all year, these kids are wonderful kids. They’re a great group to work with every single day.
“We said early on that we wanted to win all of the home games for the seniors, and we did. But, if we keep it going, we may be back here (in the playoffs). This is great for the seniors, they’re eight great young men. I’ve only known them for 18 months but it feels like I’ve known them for 18 years. They’re just great young men.”
The win moves them to 8-0 for the first time in a decade, and, according to Joe Eitel’s rankings Saturday night, clinched a Division VII, Region 25 playoff berth for the Crusaders.
“I don’t know that anyone thought we would be 8-0, but it’s October and here we are,” Meek said. “We’ll take and we’re proud. We’re not going to look ahead, we’re going to keep working.”
As it has done all season, Steubenville Catholic did most of its offensive damage on the ground, racking up 309 yards and four touchdowns rushing, led by one of the seniors in tailback BJ Fallon.
He led the way with 115 yards and three trips to the endzone on 13 carries, while hauling in another score on a 19-yard pass. He scored on runs of 3, 4 and 22 yards.
Junior Tyler Pergi also passed the century mark, racking up 111 yards on 10 totes and scoring on a 30-yard run in the fourth quarter that started the running clock.
Senior QB Tyler Ialenti had 101 total yards, rushing for 67 and throwing for another 34, including the TD to Fallon.
“If you saw how hard these kids work in practice, how focused they are every day, their work ethics, it’s amazing,” Meek said. “I’m just very. very proud of each of them and our program.”
The Bulldogs, who fall to 3-5 and dropped to 13th in the Division VII, Region 27 rankings, were able to move the ball at times, finishing with 181 yards of offense, but turned the ball over three times and had another promising drive end in a turnover on downs in the Steubenville Catholic end in the first quarter when the deficit was 14-0.
“We didn’t play well at all,” Bridgeport head coach Fred Ray said. “We didn’t show up ready to play and that’s part of the problem, so we’ll fix it.
“The youth shows up at times unfortunately. We’ve got a lot of freshmen and sophomores out there and (Steubenville Catholic) has a lot of seniors and juniors, that happens. We’re going to be OK.”
Jaki Threet finished with 67 yards on 13 carries and was 4 of 6 passing for another 51 yards. Aiden Kinsey saw the bulk of the time at QB for Bridgeport, finishing 6 of 17 for 38 yards, but was picked off twice.
Jimmy Hernon and Brayden Rauch had the INTs for the Crusaders defense, which also racked up four sacks for a combined loss of 21 yards.
The Bulldogs went three-and-out on their first two drives, while Steubenville Catholic’s first two possessions ended in Fallon’s 5-yard run and his 19-yard catch for a quick 14-0 lead.
His third TD, the 4-yard run, capped a long, nine-play drive in the second quarter. The Crusaders also missed a field goal and had a drive stall in the red zone in the final minute of the half to keep it a 21-0 game at the break.
Fallon broke free for the 22-yard score three plays into the third quarter and Pergi’s 30-yard run midway through the fourth capped the scoring.
Bridgeport heads to Shadyside Friday. Steubenville Catholic finishes the season on the road against Region 25 foes, starting with a trip to Conotton Valley on Friday.
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