by Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – The Walsh Jesuit Warriors, thanks to a strong ground game, defeated the visiting Toledo Central Catholic Fighting Irish, 38-25, at Conway Stadium Friday night.
Both teams came into Friday’s matchup looking to start off 3-0. Friday was Walsh Jesuit’s return back after Week 2’s matchup against Springfield was cancelled. The Fighting Irish rallied in the second half of their game last Thursday to defeat Portage Central (Michigan).
The Fighting Irish won the toss and elected to receive to begin Friday’s game. After forcing a punt, the defense got the ball back with a fumble recovery by Chris Sanders Jr.
Two plays later, the Warriors got the ball back when Xavier Steele recovered a fumble of his own. On the first play of the next drive, sophomore Mason Rodgers broke free for a huge gain.
It appeared that Dom Courtad would give the Warriors the lead with a touchdown run, but it was called back due to holding. On third and long, Walsh Jesuit got Toledo Central Catholic to jump twice. With a manageable third down, Dom Courtad rushed for a first down to keep the drive going. Senior Ben Biel scored from two yards out to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, senior Jeremiah Fuller (who holds multiple Division I offers) returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. The ensuing point after was blocked, keeping the Walsh Jesuit lead at 7-6.
On the next drive, Dom Courtad broke free for a long gain to flip the field and put Walsh Jesuit in Toledo CC territory. Not too long after, Courtad would score from two yards out to increase the Warrior lead to 14-6.
Toledo Central Catholic looked to counter, getting inside the Walsh Jesuit 20 on their next drive. However, they came up empty due to an unsuccessful field goal attempt.
Walsh Jesuit increased their lead, but not without some trickeration. David Ternosky tossed the ball to Cayden Levert. Levert then found Sam Barrett wide open on the left side of the end zone for a touchdown, increasing the Warrior lead to 21-6.
The Fighting Irish responded, as Kasyn Ditmeyer completed a pair of deep passes to David Yharborough and Robert Douglas III. Jeremiah Fuller would find the end zone for the second time, cutting the Toledo CC deficit to 21-13 going into the halftime break.
On the first drive of the second half, the Warriors went back to the ground, and Dom Courtad found the end zone once again, this time from two yards out. This would push the Walsh Jesuit lead to 28-13.
Following a three and out, forcing a punt, the Warrior offense got back to work, and scored once again. This time David Ternosky found John Wollschleger for a nine-yard pitch and catch.
In the fourth quarter, Walsh Jesuit would cap their scoring with a 21-yard field goal from junior Oliver Nonno. The Warriors led 38-13 with 10:55 left.
Toledo Central Catholic responded, as Jeremiah Fuller found the end zone for the third time from one yard out with 6:45 left. The ensuing point after failed, keeping the score 38-19 in favor of Walsh Jesuit. The Fighting Irish failed an onside kick attempt, but forced a three-and-out by the Warriors, getting the ball back again.
Kasyn Ditmeyer made things happen, completing a long pass to Syracuse commit Amari Eliano. Ditmeyer scored from three yards out. The ensuing two point attempt failed, keeping the score 38-25 with 3:34 remaining.
Walsh Jesuit would run out the remainder of the clock to seal the victory.
Walsh Jesuit hosts Saint Ignatius next Friday, September 11th.
Toledo Central Catholic travels to Toledo St. Francis DeSales next Friday, September 11th.
Players of the Game:
Dom Courtad (Walsh Jesuit)
The junior tailback made things happen on the ground, picking up key first downs and scoring twice.
Jeremiah Fuller (Toledo Central Catholic)
The senior holds six Division I offers and was a huge contributor to the Fighting Irish. He scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and a kickoff return for another score.
Extended highlights below:
