Wolverines roll past Saints to kick off season

The White Pines Wolverines combined a solid team rushing attack and a stellar defense to cruise past the St. Basil Saints to kick off the local High School Football League regular season.

On Thursday night at Rocky DiPietro Field, the veteran Wolverines squad ran through the Saints for 338 yards and five touchdowns along the ground as White Pines scored a 42-14 win in the senior division contest.

Displaying a stable of quality running backs, the Wolverines saw Tom Swystun run for 112 yards on 18 carries, Chris Tulloch scramble for 107 yards on 11 carries and Alanzo Clarke scamper 96 yards on 19 carries.

Clarke opened the scoring with a seven yard touchdown run in the first quarter before the Saints pulled even early in the second quarter as Steve Fantin hauled in a 15 yard reception from quarterback Andrew Allen.

But the Wolverines began to pull away late in the half when Swystun started the roll with a five yard run. Josh Reed then completed an impressive two-minute drill by hauling in a 16 yard pass from quarterback Justin Wensley with four seconds remaining.

White Pines continued to play strong in the second half as Tulloch ran for a 26 yard touchdown, Swystun ran for his second major of the game from four yards out and Wensley, who had now moved to running back, ran for a seven yard score.

Tommy Reville completed the scoring by running for a 15 yard touchdown for the Saints in the closing minutes.

Matt Santos booted six converts for the Wolverines while Steve Pandzic added two for the Saints.

Matt Connors paced the Wolverines defense by recording 7.5 tackles and two sacks while Matt Ritchie added five tackles and Josh Reed combined two sacks with 1.5 tackles. Jared Souliere recovered a fumble and Josh Childs hauled in an interception.

For St. Basil, Kyle Hoffman had a strong game in the Saints backfield with 106 yards on 15 carries. Allen completed five of nine passes for 87 yards including a pair to Reville for 51 yards.

Defensively, veteran Rob Amadio took charge of the Saints defense with 13 tackles. Dan Buonomo added six tackles while David Pozzebon recorded four tackles and recovered a fumble.

Week one action in the senior loop continues on Friday as the Bawating Braves tackle the Sir James Dunn Eagles at Rocky DiPietro Field beginning at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Korah Colts meet the St. Mary's Knights at 1 p.m.

*** JUNIOR:

In junior division action on Thursday afternoon, Kyle Mamarella ran for five touchdowns and David Christenson one as St. Basil blanked the Wolverines 38-0. Scott Martin added two converts.

On Friday, Sir James Dunn visits Bawating at 4:15 p.m. while Korah visits St. Mary's on Saturday at 10 a.m.

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