The St. Thomas More Knights have more to give.
Despite taking to the field without one of their key leaders, the senior AAA football team made like kings of the round table and squired the Centennial Centaurs 35-12 last Friday, improving to 2-0 in Eastern Conference play.
An array of passes connected in an explosive first half, as STM quarterback Dario Ciccone put up three touchdown throws in a 35-0 lead.
On the opening drive, Ciccone hit Michael Simone on a 50-yard throw the receiver took into the end zone, and the two would team up on a 60-yard major later.
Ciccone also passed to Vasco Repole on a 25-yard score as part of a 5-for-6, 160-yard first half.
The Grade 12 pivot took a seat in the second half, as STM brought in a number of younger players to finish up. While it saw Centennial respond with a couple of majors, including a long TD throw, it didn’t alter the final impression for STM coach Steve De Lazzari.
“I think you can say it’s been our pattern so far, we get off to a good start and in the second half we bring our younger players in,” said De Lazzari. “Give Centennial credit. They didn’t ease up, played hard and took advantage of some opportunities in the second half.”
STM also got majors from Julian Valero, on a 25-yard run, and linebacker Vic Domingo, who corralled an interception and returned it 45 yards for the score.
The Knights finished with 175 yards passing and just under 100 yards rushing on the day – an area De Lazzari wants to be more balanced, especially when it comes to lining up against the likes of No. 1-ranked Lord Tweedsmuir, as they do Friday at 1 p.m. in Surrey.
It’s also a game where the loss of lineman Sam Steele, who suffered a broken leg two weeks ago, will be most visible.
“This game against Tweedsmuir is the kind of game where we’ll definitely feel the absence of (Steele). He’s such a big part of our team that he can set the tone against the top teams.”
