Bears remain undefeated in football ranks

The St. Benedict Bears have staked their claim.

Taking to the field last Friday in what could easily be a preview of the high school football final, the Bears looked good. Really good, actually.

Building up a 21-16 lead at the half over the Lo-Ellen Park Knights, the Bears continued to ride the backfield tandem of siblings Christian and Alex Battistelli through the final two quarters, extending their advantage and closing things off with a 45-24 win.

Alex Battistelli finished with three touchdowns, with Christian Battistelli and Matt Vettoretti adding the remaining offensive scores. Safety Emerson Carniel recorded three interceptions, including one that was returned for a major while kicker Marcello Tantalo also nailed a field goal.

St. Benedict remains unbeaten at 4-0.

The Lively Hawks picked up their second win of the season for the first time since re-entering the SDSSAA football loop just a few years back, thumping the Chelmsford Flyers 51-19.

Scott Friesen, Jake Punkari and Billy Kosar scored two touchdowns apiece, with Milo Gaudin adding the other on a 14-yard run and setting up the opening score of the game with a lengthy punt return.

Grade 10 quarterback Hunter Holub threw four touchdown strikes and was intercepted only once, while Alex Owl (interception) and Punkari (fumble recovery) helped defensively with key turnovers.

The St. Charles College Cardinals got into the win column in a big way, bouncing the Bishop Carter Gators 47-6. The Cards featured a balanced attack, with only Jake Graham scoring a pair of touchdowns.

Singles came from Ian McDonald, Mitchell Howatt, August Danyluk and Nathan Murray, while kicker Travis Luke booted a pair of field goals, a single and chipped in with five converts.

Anthony Comisso hooked up with wide receiver Anthony Campioni for a 55-yard pass and run play, accounting for the only scoring for the Gators.

The Collège Notre-Dame Alouettes matched the 4-0 start for St. Benedict, blanking the Confederation Chargers 41-0 as veteran quarterback Dan Poirier threw for three touchdowns.

And finally, the Lasalle Lancers are building momentum with the playoffs right around the corner, picking up a big 32-7 win over the Lockerby Vikings.

Ken Bottrell scored a pair of touchdowns along the ground, with quarterback Rob Staszak also plunging in from the one, following an interception from Alex Gibaleau.

Brandon Legault also picked off a pass, returning it for a TD, while Travis Perrin picked up four converts, a 43-yard field goal and a rouge. The strong-legged kicker also smacked the uprights about 10 yards up on a kickoff, showcasing the talent that has many believing he will eventually sail one through from 60 or 65 yards out.

- Posted by Laurel Myers