Eagles hold off Braves' late game charge

The Sir James Dunn Eagles opened the High School Football League season with a nail-biting victory over the Bawating Braves.

With the outcome in doubt until the final whistle, the Eagles scored a 15-14 win on Friday night in senior division action at Rocky DiPietro Field as the team began their defense of the city and NOSSA championships.

With their offense rolling in the fourth quarter, the Braves attempted a punt single on the last play of the game from 29 yards out to settle for a tie. But an errant snap sent Braves punter Brad Beatty scrambling. The Eagles' Art Dawe eventually recovered the loose ball to seal the victory.

Quarterback Frank Weise gave the Eagles a 6-0 lead midway through the second quarter on a two yard sneak. Weise later regained the point from the missed convert with a single on a missed 18 yard field goal before gaining another point off a missed 35 yard attempt.

Trailing 8-0 at the half, the Braves started the third quarter strong as the speedy Dan Vaz completed a 75 yard catch and run touchdown from quarterback Mike Storozuk to pull the Braves back to with two points after failing a two-point convert attempt.

Ryan Bangma's 12 yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter and Weise's convert put the Eagles ahead 15-6.

But Vaz responded again on the next possession with a 31 yard touchdown reception. After an Eagles penalty gave the Braves another shot at a two-point conversion, Vaz caught a one yard pass to cut the score to 15-14.

Peter McGonegal paced the Eagles rushing attack with 123 yards on 22 carries while Bangma added 53 yards on 10 carries. Weise completed five of 15 passes for 88 yards including a pair to Navarre Cellini for 68 yards.

Defensively, Lucas Walker recorded five tackles, Cellini 3.5 and a fumble recovery while Spencer Milne added 3.5 tackles. Pat Smith also recovered a fumble and Weise made an interception.

For the Braves, Storozuk completed 11 for 26 passes for 211 yards while Vaz hauled in three balls for 127 yards. Tim Young added three catches for 28 yards and Joe Storozuk two for 25 yards. Brad Radbourne rushed for 74 yards on 15 carries.

Vaz also led the defense with eight tackles and a fumble recovery while Geoff Olar added seven tackles, Doug Watt six and Tyson Derasp five.

Week one action in the senior loop concludes on Saturday afternoon as the Korah Colts meet the St. Mary's Knights at Rocky DiPietro Field at 1 p.m.

*** JUNIOR:

In junior action on Friday afternoon, Matt Wagner and David Morano each ran for a touchdown as Sir James Dunn shutout Bawating 13-0. Jessy Depetrillo added a single.

On Saturday at 10 a.m., Korah visits St. Mary's.