How dominant was the Immaculate Heart Central defense Friday night?
So dominant that the Cavaliers allowed visiting Hamilton negative yardage on eight of its first 10 plays from scrimmage.
Things didn't get any better for the Emerald Knights, who finished the game with minus-29 rushing yards, including five sacks, and barely managed positive yardage overall (14) against a quick IHC defense.
With the IHC defense setting the tone, the Cavaliers rolled to a 49-0 win in the Section 3 Class D West opener for both teams. Junior quarterback Tom Burgess passed for two scores and ran for another as the Cavaliers showed their might in what they expect to be a great season.
"This is just a start, though,'' said IHC senior two-way standout Brian Piarulli. "We know next week (at Weedsport) we'll have to step it up a couple of notches.''
IHC coach Paul Alteri couldn't have asked for a better opener, except for the three first-half fumbles that took possessions away from his offense.
"Those things happen in opening games,''' Alteri said. "But fortunately we worked through them. Things like that are easily correctable.''
Led by linebackers Piarulli, Antonio Doldo and Ken Kampnich, IHC's defense never let Hamilton get anything going offensively. The Emerald Knights, new to the division, were forced to punt on their first seven possessions in the first half, generating minus-54 yards.
"Our defense is so fast and experienced,'' Piarulli said. "We had a few mental breakdowns here and there, and we know we can get even better.''
After Hamilton's first punt, sophomore speedster Kyle Hauk broke off a 64-yard run to set up Doldo's 1-yard touchdown run.
An Alex Sexton sack of Hamilton's Coley Graham resulted in Matt Prior scooping up the loose ball and rambling 14 yards for IHC's second score in the first quarter.
Burgess, who finished 4-of-5 passing for 77 yards, connected with Andrew Hauk for a 12-yard score in the second quarter to make it 20-0.
"We tried to work in a few new plays and we weren't really in sync early,'' said Burgess. "But I think every week we're going to run the offense better and better.''
Caleb Cummins blocked a Hamilton punt into the end zone for a safety for two more IHC points. Kyle Hauk then returned the ensuing free kick 60 yards for six more points.
Burgess concluded the first-half scoring with a 30-yard quarterback sneak, making it 35-0 at intermission.
A 42-yard Burgess-to-Tyler Prevost pass accounted for a third-quarter touchdown, and freshman Santino Alteri concluded the scoring with a 5-yard TD run later in the third quarter.
But for all of the points, everybody wanted to talk defense.
"The key is our defensive tackles keeping blockers off our linebackers,'' said coach Alteri. "Then our linebackers can run all over the field.''
Said Burgess: "It's going to make the offense's job so much easier when the defense plays like that.''
Piarulli said one of the keys on a hot and humid night was: "I think we were in better condition. That's going to make a big difference as the season progresses.''
SANDY CREEK 51, BISHOP GRIMES 14
The Comets rushed for 505 yards with Dylan Shiel and Koby Fowler both going over 100 yards in a Class D West game played in the Carrier Dome at Syracuse as part of the Kickoff Classic.
Shiel totaled 182 yards on 20 carries, scoring three touchdowns on runs of 23, 24 and 12 yards. Fowler contributed 165 yards on just 15 carries with touchdown runs of 43 and 1 yards as Sandy Creek rolled to a 30-6 halftime lead.
Jarred Soule, a freshman, added a 25-yard TD run and had two interceptions for Sandy Creek, while Luke Link also scored on a 4-yard run.
Logan McNitt led the Sandy Creek defense.
THOUSAND ISLANDS 34, LOWVILLE 0
The defending Class C North champion Vikings showed their strength in the league opener for both clubs, pounding the host Red Raiders at the Lewis County Fairgrounds.
Thousand Islands rushed for 346 yards, and the Vikings' defense limited Lowville to just 31 net rushing yards on 33 attempts.
Allen Dwyer led the Thousand Islands ground assault, rushing six times for 158 yards, including a 49-yard TD run. Justin Vrooman scored twice, on runs of 3 and 6 yards, quarterback Ryan Skinner contributed a 28-yard scoring run, and Thomas Schmitt scored on a 10-yard run.
Josh Evans, Dwyer, Schmitt and Tim Freitag led the Thousand Islands defense.
NOTTINGHAM 21, WATERTOWN 8
The Bulldogs scored all 21 points in the first half en route to a Class A National victory over the Cyclones in Syracuse.
Ishmael Jordan scored on a 3-yard run and finished with 104 yards rushing for Watertown (0-1). Demarr Poindexter finished with 63 yards receiving and Mike Hibbard 51 for the Cyclones. Quarterback Sean Scordo finished 11-for-22 passing for 144 yards and one interception.
Jawan Simmons ran for a touchdown and passed for two more for Nottingham.