It’s pretty customary that the list of ‘things to improve on’ out-number the list of ‘done well’ after the first game of a high school football season.
St. Thomas More senior football coach Steve De Lazzari said, while there was still work to be done, Saturday’s 34-0 over the Holy Cross Crusaders was a fine way to kick-off the season.
“I wouldn’t say that,” De Lazzari replied when asked if the performance was up to mid-season form. “We definitely have some things to work on and iron out, but it was great to see them execute some plays very well and get the win.”
It didn’t take long for STM to put one on the scoreboard. After the Crusaders fumbled the ball inside the Knights territory on their first drive, the Burnaby boys only needed one play from scrimmage to break the shutout.
Grade 12 captain Tyler Eckert found open territory and scampered 63 yards for the game’s first major.
“(Eckert) is a very fast running back and once he got the seam he was hard to catch,” noted De Lazzari.
As someone who first gave the position a go just last year, Eckert has quickly established himself as a power runner that defences flail at trying to stop. In the second quarter, Eckert
dashed 79 yards for another touchdown, and finished the day with three majors, carrying 13 times for 254 yards.
On defence, he tied teammate Joel Pielak for a team-high six tackles, and added two quarterback sacks to his tally.
Grade 11 lineman Sam Steele collared five tackles, while David Osho pulled down an interception.
The team also counted a pair of majors through the air, as first-year quarterback Dario Ciccone hit Michael Simone for a 10-yard strike, and Vasco Repole on a seven-yard throw.
Ciccone, who has taken on the starting role as a Grade 11, completed five of six pass attempts for 68 yards on the day.
As a whole, STM posted 418 offensive yards.
De Lazzari also noted the work of right tackle Josh Marchese, who worked well in creating holes for the rushing game and dampened Holy Cross’ attempts to gain yards on defence.
The Knights expect a tougher test in Friday’s exhibition match-up, which pits them against another AA program, but this time No. 1-ranked Abbotford, in Abbotsford.
