Published: October 10, 2008 11:49 pm      

Bishop McCort wins city battle with Johnstown

Bishop McCort’s offensive line opened huge holes in the first half of Friday’s city rivalry game against Johnstown.

The Crushers’ defense was even less forgiving. Johnstown didn’t have a first down until 8:28 remained in the opening half at Point Stadium.

The dominating start propelled undefeated Bishop McCort to a 38-7 victory despite a solid second half by the Trojans.

“I was really pleased with the intensity of the offensive and defensive lines from the start of the football game,” Bishop McCort coach Ken Salem said. “I thought we opened up some excellent lanes. We were getting great blocks out of the backfield and from the receviers. When you give Lowry and Wadley seams, they’re going to make plays.”

The 7-0 Crushers built a 35-7 first-half advantage. Bishop McCort finished with 261 rushing yards on 43 attempts. Eric Lowry (18 carries, 103 yards) had a 43-yard touchdown run, and Isa Wadley (14-99) had 41- and 13-yard touchdowns.

Lowry also returned an interception 78 yards as the first half expired.

“We couldn’t stop them early,” Johnstown coach Kevin Marabito said. “We were in position to make tackles. They came at us and we couldn’t stop the power. Hats off to McCort. They blew us off the football. They had us pushed off the line and they were into our linebackers. There was no one there to make tackles. We made some mistakes and the better team won. No question about that.”

Bishop McCort led 14-0 after scoring twice in a 47-second span.

Wadley broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown with 8:48 left in the opening quarter. Two plays from scrimmage later, Bishop McCort’s Josh Seidel intercepted a John Siciliano pass at the Trojans 27 and ran to the end zone. Dane Domonkos made it 14-0 with the extra-point at 8:01.

“The defensive coaches called for us not to blitz against that formation and that put Josh in position to make that play,” Salem said. “He was able to tip the ball, secure it and score.”

Wadley’s 13-yard scoring run and Lowry’s 43-yard touchdown run gave Bishop McCort a 27-0 advantage 9:08 before halftime.

Johnstown (4-3) had only 13 yards of offense and no first downs at that point.

Siciliano and the Trojans went into a hurry-up offense, and the Johnstown quarterback connected with Quadir Christian on a screen that the back took 38 yards to the end zone to make it 27-7 at 7:03.

On a late drive, Siciliano (194 passing yards) threw 36 yards to Christian at midfield and then spiked the ball with 16 seconds showing. On the final play of the opening half, Marabito put Gervon Simon at quarterback. Lowry intercepted the pass at the 22 and ran for a touchdown as time expired.

“That was a huge play,” Lowry said. “Everybody started to block for me and I just saw daylight.”

“Lowry’s interception was a backbreaker,” Salem added. “They had shown some life in the no-huddle and had a little bit of momentum.”

Domonkos booted a 30-yard field goal after a Johnstown fumble at the 12 to close the scoring in the third quarter.