Paramus Catholic won its 2019 debut over West Catholic, 49-22, with the Paladins accumulating 486 yards of total offense, including 315 on the ground.
After forcing a punt, the Paladins went four plays and scored on a 7-yard Donte Johnson run. Donte Nowell hit passes of 16 and 13 yards to set up the score. After their second drive was stopped by an interception, PC scored on their third possession when Tyrese Weeks ran it in from three yards out with 7:27 left in the half.
After forcing a punt, the Paladins scored again when Nowell found a well-covered Andre Barrett for 15 yards just over the goal line to make it 21-0. West Catholic scored before the half when quarterback Zaire Hart-Hawkins went 17 yards on the keeper and it was 22-6 at the half.
In the third quarter, PC extended their lead when Jahsim Brooks went 19 yards through the middle to make it 28-6 with 3:34 left in the quarter. The Paladins put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter when Jemel Carter went 76 yards down the right sideline for the score and a 35-6 lead.
At that point the teams traded scores with PC’s scores coming on a 7-yard run by Brooks and a 16-yard run by Jordan Sutton.
PC’s offensive line of tackles Devin Willock and Michael Entwistle, guards Jose Diaz and Anthony Lavignani, and center Nikolai Bujnowski was the story of the night. They were dominant and enabled the offense to move the ball, running and passing. Five backs combined for most of the 315 yards rushing and Nowell had time to throw, completing 13 of 22 for 171 yards and a touchdown. Of the backs, Weeks gained 105 yards and Brooks had 85.
PC’s defense also had their moments and nose guard Christian Ash applied constant pressure through the middle with 2-1/2 sacks. While there is work to be done, the Paladin defense made numerous hits that stood their opponents up.
Comments:
Paramus Catholic head coach John Whitehead: “This is an older and more mature team. Our offensive line is the strength of the team and all five kids can block. Dorain Nowell also has more confidence this year and not having players go both ways is very helpful – we weren’t able to do that last year.”
Paramus Catholic tackle Devin Willock: “It’s equally fun to block for the run and pass. It’s good to know we can dominate and that our quarterback has time or our running backs have holes.”
Paramus Catholic quarterback Dorian Nowell: “This is a more mature and tighter team. We execute more with fewer mistakes and we’re confident we can move the ball.”
Paramus Catholic nose guard Christian Ash: “The center I was going against was not moving fast enough, so my plan was to rush the A-Gap, try beating him with speed, and see what happens.”