November 5, 2006Trinity Builds Big Lead, Shows Mercy in Beating Wardefrom The Stamford Advocate Fairfield Warde muffed the opening kickoff and fumbled the first play from scrimmage yesterday. Then things got bad. Trinity Catholic scored on its first three possession, built a 41-7 lead and then watched as its junior varsity team gave up long three scores before holding on for a 44-28 win that will serve as ample fuel for the many critics of the state's 50-point rule. Chris Hawthorn and A.J. Nelson scored two touchdowns apiece and John O'Leary, in his first start at quarterback, threw for three scores as the Crusaders' starters, minus some players who were benched in the first half, dominated. "We came out, the running backs ran the ball well, the receivers caught and the blockers blocked," said O'Leary, who normally starts at wide receiver and defensive back on the varsity and at quarterback with the junior varsity. O'Leary, who likely will be the quarterback next season, gave an outstanding audition, completing 5-of-6 passes for 94 yards. "I was just going out to win the game, I'm not looking at next year yet," O'Leary said. "I just came out and was really comfortable. I know the offense. It's just normal for me. I've been starting both ways, just not at quarterback." The position switch was made necessary because Trinity coach Bryan Fox suspended several key players, including quarterback Anas Koummal and running backs Vinny Cortese and Kyle Foti, for what he said were disciplinary reasons. The three played the first series of the second half and accounted for all 67 yards in an eight-play drive that resulted in Foti's 5-yard run that made the score 41-7. The trio returned in the final minutes after the Mustangs (1-7) scored three straight times as Fox played his junior varsity players. After Warde, trailing by 16, recovered an onside kick with 5:50 remaining, Fox went back to his starting lineup, which held the Mustangs to minus-3 yards in four plays, then drove down to the Warde 1-yard line before twice taking a knee as time ran out. Trinity won the teams' meeting last year, 56-0, after which the Mustangs' coach, Tony Catapano, accused Fox of running up the score, though he started substituting late in the second quarter and did not pass the ball in the second half. The CIAC instituted a rule this offseason in which a coach whose team wins by 50 or more points would be suspended for the next game. Fox admitted he was in a bind yesterday: not wanting to embarrass the Mustangs or inflame his relationship with Catapano, one of the few proponents of the new rule, though he wanted to get his starters enough time in preparation for next week's game with Stamford, which will decide the city title. "All of that comes into effect," Fox said. "We don't have too much experience being up by a good amount so when do you shut the engine off? When you go into halftime with a big lead you want to find the right time to ease up a little bit. But you want to get enough reps for the first-teamers." Catapano had mixed feelings on the situation. "They didn't have enough reps?" he said. "They get plenty of reps in practice all week. It was 44-28 and it could have been a lot more. He did the right thing and we did the right thing." The Crusaders (5-3) ran the ball for 383 yards, averaging over seven yards a carry. Nelson had 11 carries for 131 yards, while Nick Cortese got increased playing time and had 66 yards on 11 carries. Vinny Cortese and Foti still finished with 52 and 37 yards, respectively. The starting defense was equally dominant, allowing just two first downs. Anthony Lombardo was the bright spot for the Mustangs, scoring in the second quarter on a 91-yard run, and against the Trinity reserves on a 66-yard screen pass from quarterback Ralph Fidaleo and an 80-yard kickoff return. Fidaleo also hit Michael Primsky on a 75-yard touchdown pass. Except for the three long scores from scrimmage, Warde managed just 13 yards. "We missed a few tackles and had to put the starters back in," Fox said. "You like to give the guys who don't play as much a chance." O'Leary was in sync with Hawthorn, the starting tight end, who caught four passes for 66 yards, the first a 13-yard fourth-down pass that gave Trinity a quick 7-0 lead. Nelson broke a 61-yard run down the left sideline the next time Trinity touched the ball to extend the lead, and O'Leary found Hawthorn again from 21 yards out with 1:44 left in the period for a 20-0 advantage. "I know John was going to be ready to go," Fox said. "I think he's a gamer. You put the ball in his hands on the football field and he makes things happen." After Lombardo got the Mustangs on the board early in the second quarter with his team pinned deep in its territory, Nick Cortese scored on a 1-yard run and O'Leary lofted a perfect 28-yard pass to Nelson for a 34-7 halftime lead. Perhaps the play that roused the most emotion from the Crusaders' bench was a 42-yard field goal by David Arana in the third quarter. A former soccer player, the 5-foot-4 sophomore was not even on the team at the start of the season. His only field goal attempt this season came in a junior varsity game against Fairfield Ludlowe, from 47 yards. It fell just short. "I've made them from 45 in practice," he said. "To see everyone start screaming and jumping and getting excited. That was fun." Catapano, who dressed just 31 players, saw some bright spots, especially from Lombardo and Fidaleo. "I thought the two of them did a good job," Catapano said. "The good news is they are just sophomores. Trinity is just bigger and faster and we're still not executing. We're just not competitive yet." Now Fox can turn his attention to the Black Knights, when the focus will turn from keeping the winning margin manageable to ending Stamford's stranglehold on the city title. "It's going to be a big one," Fox said. "I want to be one of the kids and play in this one. It is as big as it gets." Copyright © 2006, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.
 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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