Colts outlast Braves

Despite a large statistical advantage, the Korah Colts needed a full 48 minutes to defeat the Bawating Braves.

Chewing up the ground for 255 yards rushing and passing for another 84, the Colts edged the Braves 23-14 to remain undefeated in high school football senior division action on Thursday night at Rocky DiPietro Field.

The victory improves the Colts record to 3-0-1 while the Braves fall to 1-3.

Despite being limited to 100 yards in total offense, the Braves never let Colts run away with the game and had chances late in the game to close the gap.

Dan Vaz opened the scoring for the Braves as he took the opening kickoff 76 yards for the major score and caught the ensuing two point convert for an 8-0 lead.

Following an Aaron Irwin safety touch, the Colts jumped ahead 9-8 as Jourdan Morin scampered into the end zone from 11 yards out.

On the opening drive in the second half, Morin padded the lead to 16-8 with a nine yard touchdown run.

But the Braves refused to quit. On their next possession, Brad Radbourne completed a drive with a seven yard touchdown run. A missed two point conversion attempt would keep the Colts ahead 16-14.

Pat Koski, who had a solid game on both sides of the ball, completed the scoring early in the fourth quarter with a three yard touchdown run.

Colin Edwards kicked three converts for the Colts.

Koski led the Colts with 126 yards rushing on 18 carries and caught two passes for 25 yards. Morin added 119 yards rushing on 28 carries. Quarterback Christian Johnson completed six of nine passes for 84 yards including three completions to Tysen Vanderloo for 47 yards.

Defensively, Koski recorded two sacks while Irwin made 3.5 tackles and Vanderloo three. Morin and Jordan Murtonen each recorded an interception.

For the Braves, quarterback Mike Storozuk completed five of 13 attempts for 99 yards. Tim Young caught three passes for 51 yards while Kyle Gauthier hauled in two for 48 yards.

Defensively, Kyle Oldham recorded 12 tackles while Zach Clement made 10 tackles and an interception. Gauthier added seven tackles and Kyle Lanteigne 6.5.

Week four action in the senior division will conclude on Friday with doubleheader action at Rocky DiPietro Field. White Pines (0-3) tackles St. Basil (0-3) in the opener at 5 p.m. before St. Mary's (3-0) battles Sir James Dunn (2-0-1) at 7:30 p.m.

*** JUNIOR DIVISION:

St. Mary's 23 - SJD 7:

In a game originally scheduled for Saturday, Michael Esson scored two touchdowns to lead the St. Mary's Knights past the Sir James Dunn Eagles 23-7 on Thursday afternoon. Michael Martens added another touchdown for the winners while Jeff Pellegrino kicked a field goal and two converts.

Tyler Brown scored the touchdown for the Eagles and Nick Wegener added the convert.

Korah 25 - Bawating 0:

In the other junior battle on Thursday, Wes Greco, Kyle Leonard and Ben Ginter each scored a touchdown as the Colts shutout the Braves 25-0. Daniel Ferris kicked three coverts while the Colts gained another four points on a pair of safeties.

PHOTO: Korah running back Jourdan Morin (#17) attempts an option pass.