Fallsnewspress.com - CVCA football balances attack in win vs. Hornets

by Steve Batko

Correspondent

Cuyahoga Falls -- Running its patented Wing-T offense opened up the passing game for the Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy football team in a 26-7 season opening home win over East Canton.

Veteran mentor Ray Carroscia wanted to have more of a pass game this season to compliment the Royals' stellar ground game and line play.

However, the victory wouldn't have been possible if the defense had not excelled -- especially at stopping the run. CVCA's 3-5-3 defense held the Hornets to just 95 yards rushing and just missed a shut out.

East Canton put together a 60-yard drive in 3:00 scored with two seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Carroscia was thrilled to see the ball control offense keep the ball the entire fourth quarter and ran out the clock with a textbook 18-play finishing drive.

"We controlled the ball and we stopped their running game," said Carroscia. "We ran out the clock in the fourth behind the strong blocking of the offensive line."

"Our defense played outstanding against the run and only giving up 95 yards rushing was tremendous. Our linebackers led the defense as well as senior Tyler Laurinaitis (at defensive end) and junior safety Aaron Port (7 tackles with 4 solos)," Carroscia said.

The linebacking corps included senior All-Ohioan Alex Utley, junior Nathan Rosenberger, junior Matt Meadows, sophomore Danny Tiley and senior Brock Bales.

CVCA's ground game opened up the passing game by sophomore Antonio Carroscia, who was 4-9 passing for 105 yards and a pair of touchdowns to his favorite target -- junior wide out Ben Shepherd.

"The running game allowed the passing game to open up very well for us," Carroscia said.

Shepherd had two catches for 56 yards and two scores while sophomore Arthur Dunkley had a 39-yard reception, and Utley had a catch for 10 yards.

The Royals first touchdown came on a 29-yard scoring strike from Carroscia to Shepherd with 6:01 remaining in the first quarter. Sophomore kicker J.J. Friszman booted the PAT to make it 7-0.

Then Utley scored on a 6-yard run with 10 seconds left in the opening quarter and Friszman's kick made it 14-0 over the Hornets.

Utley rushed 20 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns as he had his usual workmanlike game. Rosenberger had 62 yards rushing on 12 carries. In all, CVCA had 44 carries for 269 yards, 18 first downs, and 366 total yards.

According to Carroscia, Bales and Rosenberger provided solid blocking in the backfield along with the offensive line consisting of Ben Engle, Matt Meadows, Pete Meadows, Logan Talley, Hunter Bierce and John Allen.

"That line opened up holes to allow our running game to get going early to set up the pass," said the coach.

More strong play in the trenches happened as the second half opened with a 5-minute, 60-yard drive. The scoring drive ended with a 2-yard burst by Utley. The kick was blocked and it was 20-0.

CVCA's final tally came on a 5-play drive highlighted by a 32-yard run by Utley. The touchdown came on a 27-yard pass over the middle from Carroscia to Shepherd with 3:32 left in the third stanza.

Sound line play and fundamentals allowed the Royals keep the ball and finish with an 18-play drive to kick off the first win.

East Canton quarterback Landon Schmidt scored the Hornets' only touchdown on a 1-yard run, but the three-year starter was held in check. He went 12-20 for 113 yards and no scores against the Royals secondary and backers.

East Canton managed only 10 first downs in the game.

Solid special teams play was turned in by senior kicker Joe Orihel, sophomore Sherman Kortze, senior Logan Talley, Dunkley, Port, Allen, and Matt Meadows.

Final results of the Sept. 3 non-league game at Norwayne wasn't available as of press time.

CVCA has a non-league tilt at Leavittsburg LaBrae on Sept. 10.

Whether it's a ground assault or an aerial attack, Carroscia wants to keep moving forward.

"The team is still young and we will look to improve week to week on our execution, blocking and tackling," said Carroscia.

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