Sophomore QB Rizk’s four TD passes lift Eagles
WEST PALM BEACH — Sophomore quarterback Ryan Rizk showed why he’s being touted as a promising young prospect in leading Pope John Paul II to a 34-10 win Thursday night against Cardinal Newman in a preseason Kickoff Classic at Sam Budnyk Field.
Rizk displayed the poise of a veteran, passing for four touchdowns.
“He has a high ceiling,” Pope John Paul II coach Willie Snead said.
Rizk completed two key passes covering 24 and 20 yards on PJP’s first possession as the Eagles grabbed an early 7-0 lead, with Jakari Norwood, another sophomore, scoring on a 1-yard run.
Rizk completed a 46-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Joseph Farley to give the Eagles a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Cardinal Newman scored on a 32-yard field goal by junior kicker Marcello Bertuzzelli with 4:24 remaining in the second quarter, but Rizk engineered a 70-yard scoring drive on the ensuing possession, connecting with Norwood on a 17-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 21-3 lead at halftime. Rizk was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play, but it was about the only thing he did wrong all night.
The Eagles made it 28-3 on their first possession of the second half, with Rizk finding senior Nick Raimondini open in the flat for a 15-yard touchdown.
Rizk’s fourth touchdown pass, to senior receiver Dominic Milanese for a 14-yard score, made it 34-3 early in the fourth quarter.
Cardinal Newman reached the end zone for the first time when senior Kyle Cartales returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.
“Our goal is to get better from this and be ready for next week,” Snead said.
Cardinal Newman graduated its entire starting offensive line from last year and the offense struggled most of the game. The Crusaders were inside PJP’s 10-yard line just before halftime but failed to score.
“We only have one senior on our offensive line, but they’ve come a long way,” first-year Newman coach John Timmins said. “It’s a process.”
Melbourne-Palm Bay 34, Santaluces 0: Patrick Mayes completed 8 of 17 passes with one interception for 113 yards and Franklin Polina led the team in receiving with five receptions for 80 yards, but the Chiefs fell to the Pirates in the preseason opener in Lantana.