Mentor OH- Mike Patterson and I were on hand as the JTO saw a clash of two 7-1 (3-0 conf.) teams clash for the Crown Conference championship. Lake Catholic hosted the Walsh Jesuit Warriors in a high-scoring showdown.
1Q
Both teams began with punts on their opening drives. Walsh Jesuit QB Keller Moten had a stellar night. He got it started on the 2nd drive finding Owen Feliciano for a 40-yard touchdown strike. Lake Catholic QB Frankie Trinetti and company responded. Marching down the field as he handed to Josh Styles who turned the corner from 12 yards out for the score. With both extra-points being successful the first quarter ended with a 7-7 tie.
2Q
Walsh's offense began from the quarter from the Cougar 7. Lucas Weaver had a big night on the ground, reaching paydirt twice. He scored his first of the evening to open the fram, propelling the Warriors into a 13-7 lead as the XP was missed.
A good drive from the Cougar offense as Trinetti found Ace Peterlin twice for a combined 22 yards, and Josh Styles helped the cause with a run of 12 into Walsh territory. No too long later, Brayden Foster would go uptop to pick off Trinetti. On the insuing drive the Warriors found the endzone again. Keller Moten connected with Owen Feliciano on a huge 58-yard strike to run their lead up to 13.
A Cougar drive stalled, but was given new life following an unsportman like conduct. Trinetti found Peterlin for a 62-yard touchdown reception to draw within 6.
DJ Sears made a big tackle on 3rd down of Moten to force a punt. Connections from Trinetti to Peterlin and Patrick Radigan gave the offense 46 yards to get inside Walsh territory. A strip sack of Frankie seemed to end the drive, but the ruling of the field was changed to an incompletion to set up a 34 yarder for Harley Forkins. He drilled it to end the first half, Warriors leading 20-17.
3Q
A 94-yard kickoff return touchdown from Antonio Modica set up a wild 3rd quarter. Lake Catholic took a 24-24 lead. On the following kickoff Walsh saw a big return of their own setting them up at the Cougar 20. Two plays later Lucas Weaver scored for his 2nd time of the night, giving the Warriors a 27-24 advantage. Frankie Trinetti found Ace Peterlin again for a 16-yard score as we went back and forth to open the 3rd.
As the Cougars held a 31-27 lead, 21 points in just over 2 minutes of game play. John Keough was on the recieving end of a 41 yard pass from Moten, who then scampered for 13 yards. On 4th and goal Moten called his own number for the score.
It was a 34-31 lead for Walsh Jesuit. A Cougar punt lead to another Walsh score. Moten called his own number again as he skirted 39 yards to the end zone as the Warriors were up 41-31.
More big gains as Peterlin caught a pass for 37 yards, Styles followed up with a catch of 8 yards and Trinettis scramble set up the Cougars at the 10. Styles had reservations for 6 on his 6 yard run to the end zone.
dng them a 48-38 lead to end the 3rd.
4Q
Jason Baines took a one yard plunge into the end zone with 7:47 left in the game for the dagger.
Trinetti fumbled and John Keough picked it up going 55 yards for the fumble recovery touchdown. Walsh would go on to win by a final of 62-38 as they take on Padua next week to officially clinch the Crown Conference Championship.
UNOFFICIAL WALSH JESUIT WARRIORS STATS -
Keller Moten: 8/13 passing - 265 yards - 3TD / 13 rushes - 121 yards - 2TD
Owen Feliciano: 3 receptions - 113 yards - 2TD
Lucas Weaver: 23 rushes - 146 yards - 2TD
John Keough: 3 receptions - 136 yards - TD / FR TD
Jason Baines: 8 rushes - 26 yards - TD
Brayden Foster: INT
UNOFFICIAL LAKE CATHOLIC COUGARS STATS-
Frankie Trinetti: 13/26 passing - 227 yards - 2TD to 1INT / 1 rush - 9 yards - FUMBLE
Josh Styles: 25 rushes - 149 yards - 2TD
Ace Peterlin: 7 receptions - 177 yards - 2TD