Sudbury experiences St. Mary's Knightmare (video added)

In the most convincing fashion, the St. Mary's Knights are headed to Toronto and the Rogers Centre to represent NOSSA in the Northern Bowl.

In the Northern Ontario Secondary Schools Association championship game on Saturday afternoon at Rocky DiPietro Field, the Knights walked all over Sudbury's St. Benedict Bears 73-0.

Almost copying last week's script, where they defeated North Bay's Scollard Hall Bears 50-0 in the NOSSA semi-final, the Knights took control from the opening series. The Knights punishing defense kept Sudbury hemmed in their own end the entire game and set their offense up with incredible field position.

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After the Knights defense shutdown the Bears on their first possession, Mike Esson returned a punt 20 yards to set up Mark DeVuono's 23 yard touchdown reception from quarterback John Mullin on their first play from scrimmage.

Another defensive stand led to another touchdown pass to DeVuono on the second play from scrimmage, this one on a 50 yard catch and run for a 14-0 lead just 5:25 into the first quarter.

With the St. Mary's passing attack grinding to halt over the next two series, the Knights took to the ground in the second quarter as Jeff Greco ran in his first of three touchdowns from 10 yards out to complete a 50 yard, five play drive.

The Knights' Dan Perri then recovered a fumble to set up Craig Rushon's 20 yard touchdown reception from Mullin. Jeff Pellegrino then returned an interception 25 yards, which led to Mullin's nine yard touchdown run.

Before the half was out, Esson picked off another pass and Greco followed with a nine yard touchdown run to give St. Mary's a 42-0 lead at the half.

The Knights weren't finished and continued to pound the Bears over the final 30 minutes as the Knights worked a fresh set of troops into the game.

Greco ran for a six yard touchdown, Ricky Lamon booted a 28 yard field goal and ran for a four yard major, Matt Buchan scored from a yard out and Aaron Bertolo caught a 13 yard touchdown pass from Mullin to cap the scoring. Lamon also kicked 10 converts.

Greco finished with 85 yards rushing on 12 carries while Rushon added 77 yards on 12 carries, Esson 67 yards on nine carries and Buchan 38 yards on nine carries. Mullin completed eight of 15 passes for 152 yards and four touchdowns. DeVuono caught three passes for 87 yards and Rushon three for 43 yards.

Defensively, the Knights held the Bears to just 69 yards of total offense as Jordan Verdone anchored with seven tackles and half a sack. Perri made 4.5 tackles with Jason Amadio and Pellegrino making four each. Alex Zalewski recorded 1.5 sacks while Ricky McDonald, Steve Piazza and Mac Douglas also picked up sacks. Clay Tessier recovered two fumbles while Amadio pounced on another.

The Northern Bowl is scheduled for December 7 and is a part of the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Bowl Series.

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