Dominant defense carries Nazareth over CCHS
Blue Eagles record 7 sacks, plus 3 INTs, including 2 for TDs
Tom Falzone went into Friday night’s game with visiting Central Catholic with a concerned mind.
The Nazareth coach walked off the field at Andrew S. Leh Stadium impressed … with his team’s defense.
The Blue Eagles produced seven sacks, three interceptions, including a pair returned for touchdowns, and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown in a 49-7 rout.
“They came out breathing fire,” Falzone said of his defense. “They came out firing on all cylinders.
“… When our offense couldn’t score in the first half, our defense picked us up.”
Ben Houchin had the first of Nazareth’s seven sacks to force Central Catholic to a three-andout on its first series.
It was the start of the steamrolling.
On the Vikings’ next series, Jack McKenna stepped in front of Matt Rauscher’s second pass attempt and returned it 21 yards for the game’s first score midway through the first quarter.
McKenna said there’s nothing better than getting a pick-6 except …
“Maybe getting a blocked punt returned for six,” the senior said, “thanks to Jake Wilson.”
By the time Wilson stuffed a Chris Matejcek punt and McKenna returned it 30 yards for a score, Nazareth had its seventh touchdown with 7 minutes, 42 seconds left in the third quarter.
“We’re really coming out strong, playing with a lot heart, a lot of effort,” Wilson said. “It’s a great feeling.”
That is a matter of perspective.
Central Catholic had minus-4 yards of offense in the first half and had as many penalties (6) as first downs in the game.
The Vikings, who pushed perennial power Parkland to the limit last week, never got going after their first turnover.
The Blue Eagles forced another three-and-out thanks to a three-yard tackle for loss by Jacob Levey. The offense then got started.
After punting on its first two possessions, Nazareth needed four plays to go 29 yards for a 14-0 lead. Anthony Harris had the first of his two rushing touchdowns with 4:12 left in the opening quarter.
Another Central Catholic penalty and a Wilson sack got Nazareth’s offense back on the field. Harris hit Nathan Stefanik with a five-yard TD pass to finish off another four-play drive and the rout was on.
“The offense finally got going,” Falzone said, “and when the two can help each other like that, it’s a great thing.
“They’re playing together as a unit, playing assignment football which is so important. They’re getting picks, but the guys up front are causing those picks.”
Other defensive standouts
Stefanik’s interception on the next-to-last play of the first quarter was his sixth interception this season. It set up a Harris touchdown run.
Levey’s 11-yard TD interception return gave Nazareth a 35-0 lead with 8:33 left in the first half.
Corey Hartranft, Braden Mehlig and Hunter Enstrom also had sacks for the Blue Eagles.
Record-tying toss
Harris’ touchdown pass to Stefanik with 35 seconds left in the first quarter gave him 59 for his career, one shy of the Blue Eagles’ record held by Nathan’s brother, Travis, a 2016 graduate.
Rewarded for persistence
Rauscher was harassed all night and had little time to throw. His 17-yard TD pass to George Hlavac with 2:10 left in the first half prevented the shutout.
Up next
Nazareth (3-0) begins a three-game run down the EPC South gauntlet when it visits Freedom (3-0) next Friday night. Games against Parkland and Bethlehem Catholic follow.
“[Nazareth graduate Jahan] Dotson said to me before our first game,” Falzone recalled, “‘Just be 1-0, coach. That’s what we do at Penn State.’
“Well, if that’s good for James Franklin at Penn State, it’s certainly good for us. I said to our guys that it makes perfect sense. You’re not looking ahead. You just want to win that week. Whatever we’ve done in the past is behind [us]. Whatever we’ve got ahead us, don’t worry about it. It’s just one focus.”
Central Catholic (1-2) hosts Whitehall next Saturday.