Friday, September 14, 2012 - 11:10pm Catalano's blocked punt powers St. Mark's win
By Sean Greene
Updated Friday, September 14, 2012 - 11:46pm
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VIDEO: Highlights of St. Mark's / Sussex Central
St. Mark's Mike Catalano blocked a punt and returned it for the only score in the Spartans 7-0 victory over Sussex Central Friday night.
Both teams had opportunities for elusive offensive points, with St. Mark's getting into the red zone late in the opening quarter, but ultimately settling for a 34-yard field goal that just slid to the left.
On the ensuing drive, the Golden Knights would get into the Spartans' red zone, but a pass into the end zone was intercepted by Jonathan Church to keep the game scoreless.
A few drives later, Sussex Central's attempted punt rolled back to the kicker, allowing Catalano to come through blocker free and swat it away, the ball bounced backwards, and came up right into the chest of Catalano who said later he "scooped and scored, just like we practiced" to put St. Mark's up 7-0.
Central would get one last opportunity in the opening half, but a completed Hail Mary pass only got them to the 9 yard line.
The second half saw neither team put together much offense, as neither team went on a sustained drive, and St. Mark's finally sacked Amontay Clanton to put the game away.
St. Mark's defense has allowed just 6 points in season opening wins over William Penn and Sussex Central, but figure to get a sterner test next Friday when they travel to Dover.
