October 17, 2005Trinity Saves Its Field, Then Blitzes Bassickfrom The Stamford Advocate STAMFORD -- At 6 a.m. Saturday morning, the idea of playing football on the Trinity Catholic High School grass field seemed a noble but extremely farfetched concept. However, an army of Crusader volunteers cornered the market on Quik-Dri and heat blowers, carrying the determination that homecoming festivities against Bassick High would become a reality. Well, the atmosphere was enjoyed by all along with a dominant football message in the form of a 42-6 Trinity Catholic victory. "There was a flood of people here this morning. And they got things done to ready the field," said a thankful Trinity Catholic coach Bryan Fox. "It was an amazing thing to see." The Crusaders drew on the pomp and circumstance and plethora of Trinity Catholic alums on hand to race to a 21-0 first quarter advantage from which Bassick (0-5) couldn't recover. Since Bassick needs just one bus to comfortly travel its undermanned squad to road games, it will probably be the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference's favorite homecoming opponent this season. Aided by a Bassick offsides penalty on fourth down and three, Trinity Catholic (3-2) took the opening kickoff 80 yards in nine plays. A 32-yard pass connection from Crusader quarterback Anas Koummal to 6-foot-2 wide receiver Gene Devito as well as Matt Taccone's 17-yard run set the stage for Kyle Foti's one-yard TD plunge and a 7-0 edge. An interception by Chris Hawthorn triggered a 62-yard Trinity scoring march. Running back A.J. Nelson scampered 36 yards around right end for 14-0 with 2:31 left in the period. Trinity's Santiago Steele recovered the first of four Bassick fumbles. The turnover led to Taccone's 19-yard jaunt around right end on the final play of the quarter for 21-0. "We wanted to jump out fast and get the early lead," Fox said. "We executed well in the first half." Bassick continued to be its own worst enemy in the second quarter. The Bears nullified a 17-yard pass out of punt formation with a holding penalty. They then allowed Trinity's Anthony Kurche to recover a fumble on the Bassick 27. Two plays later, Taccone sped into the end zone from 14 yards out. Kenny Holbert (five successful extra points) made it 28-0. The Crusaders closed the second quarter as they did the first by scoring on the final play. Koummal scrambled for time then found Devito on a 53-yard touchdown pass for 35-0. Devito finished with three catches for 100 yards. "That touchdown catch was huge," Fox said. "It allowed me to give playing time to a bunch of guys who had worked so hard in practice but who had little reward." Bassick avoided the shutout by taking the second half kickoff 65 yards in 11 plays. Stout running back Earl Hendricks bulled in on fourth down and inches to create the 42-6 final. "It starting to get exciting around here," Fox said. "I hope we can carry the momentum on from here." NOTES -- Contrary to multiple media reports, New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is not under house arrest in his Yankee Stadium office. Cashman was in attendance at yesterday's contest. Trinity Catholic student Melissa LaBaddia provided a stirring live rendition of the National Anthem before the clash.
 Big senior defensive tackle Vladimir Joseph swims by an offensive lineman in a 28-20 home victory over Fairfield Ludlowe on October 29, 2005. (CrusaderNation.net / Dana Maul)
 Junior defensive tackle Santiago "Teggy" Steele wraps up a Darien
rusher as his
 Junior center Cory Johnson prepares to snap the ball to fellow classmate
 The Crusader offensive line pushes Bassick around in the mud. The
Crusaders
 Senior wideout Rob Hawthorn races downfield to block as junior fullback
Eric Stephens
 2005 All-FCIAC East Offense Row 1, Left to Right: Eric Wells, Bassick; Willie Epps, McMahon;
Pete Raymond,
 2005 All-FCIAC East Defense Row 1, Left to Right: Joe Luchesi, Danbury; Greg Sabo, Danbury; James
Taylor, Danbury;
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