Lake Catholic Smashes Strongsville In Season Opener

The Lake Catholic football team grounded and pounded the Strongsville Cougars in their season opener.

The Cougars scored 42 to Strongsville's 7 in the first half on the way to a 49-21 rout.

Lake Catholic quarterback Mark Baniewicz scored six touchdowns in the game -- five running and one passing. He was one running touchdown short of matching a school record set by Richie Sanders.

Baniewicz racked up 194 yards rushing on 12 runs in the first half. He only threw three times in the first two quarters but one of those was a 53-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Bell.

He accrued four of his five running touchdowns in the first half, including runs of 53 and 66 yards. He ran for a final touchdown in the fourth quarter after the game was in hand.

However, Baniewic was quick to give credit for his play to the offensive line.

"The holes they were making, you could drive a fire truck through them," he said.

Cougars Head Coach Mike Bell also talked about how important both the offensive and defensive lines were.

"All week we talked about playing with focus, discipline and being physical up front on both ends of the ball," Bell said. "We did that tonight."

Bell was also pleased with Baniewicz's play.

"I'll tell you what the most exciting thing about (Baniewicz) is," he said. "If you knew him last year when he was a junior and how much he grew through the season, if he shows that same kind of progression this year -- look out.

"There's no ceilings to what he's capable of if he can continue to develop."

Lake Catholic's defense also impressed, especially cornerback Anthony Christopher who recovered a fumble and grabbed two interceptions, one of which he ran back 50 yards for a touchdown. He almost nabbed a third interception when a ball fell through his hands in the fourth quarter.

"He's a special talent," Bell said of Christopher. "I believe he's a name, you'll be hearing a lot."

While Lake Catholic dominated the first half, Strongville played with renewed vigor in the second. They scored two touchdowns in the second half before Baniewicz ran it into the end zone one more time.

"We didn't come out of the locker room in the third quarter with the intensity we needed," Bell said.

Mustangs sophomore quarterback Bobby Cole replaced starter Ryland Puzzitello in the second quarter and led some impressive drives for Strongsville, throwing for 226 yards. But by then the Cougars' lead was too much to overcome.

Score by quarter

1

2

3

4

Total

Strongsville Mustangs

0

7

7

7

21

Lake Catholic Cougars

14

28

0

7

49