H.S. Football: Elyria Catholic can't quite keep up with Bishop Hartley

ELYRIA — Big plays. They're what cost Elyria Catholic on opening night as the Panthers fell to playoff-tested Columbus Bishop Hartley 48-28 on Friday night to spoil the dedication of the new stands and press box at Dan Reaser Stadium. "Football's a game of momentum," EC coach Chase Farris said. "When we get things rolling, we look like something. One play here, one play there — you take three plays, it's a different story." Make no mistake. Bishop Hartley is a good team. The Hawks made a deep run in the playoffs a year ago to finish 10-3 and they have four state championships on their resume. The first play from scrimmage might have been an indication of the kind of night the Panthers were in for. Robert Lathan broke free for a 67-yard run all the way to the 13-yard line only to have it called back for holding. Hartley had another big play called back later in the game but managed to score on runs of 57 and 79 yards and returned a kick 91 yards for another as it simply outscored EC. Two backs — Lathan and Bryson Winbush — each ran for over 100 yards and each scored three touchdowns. Winbush had the kick return and the 79-yarder. Lathan had the 57-yard touchdown. "Hat's off to Bishop Hartley," said Farris. "We knew coming into this it would be a dogfight. They have amazing running backs. Their front knows exactly what they're doing. Their offense was just a nightmare." The Hawks ran traps and counters that caused some confusion. Many times the Panthers made the initial hit but either Winbush or Lathan found ways to bounce around and get free. "We have to finish," Farris said. "Above all else, we have to finish. That's what we tell them every day. Start fast and finish strong." EC displayed a potent passing attack led by senior quarterback Darrell Shumpert Jr. He finished completing 22 of 37 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns. His biggest targets were seniors Zavior Castillo and Connor Petrus. The two combined to grab 13 passes for 170 yards. Each caught a pair of touchdowns and showed good moves after the catch. Shumpert was able to connect with six receivers. "It's really all about execution," said Shumpert, who missed nearly all of last season with a shoulder injury. "I thought my guys did a great job and I'm proud of my O-line. They let me sit back there and make the throws and my guys got open. From now on, it's just an execution thing." The back-breaker was Winbush's kick return. EC had just sliced the lead to 14-7 on a great drive in the first quarter, going 62 yards in six plays with Shumpert finding Castillo on a slant route for 33 yards. Winbush took the ensuing kickoff at the 9, broke free around the 30 and went the distance to put the Hawks back in control at 21-7 as the first quarter ended. EC missed a chance at the end of the first half to close within a touchdown. The Panthers were going to get the ball to start the second half but their drive stalled at the 20-yard line after a holding call. Sean O'Donnell tried a 38-yard field goal but it was tipped at the line of scrimmage and fell short and to the left. O'Donnell was perfect on his four point-after tries. It was the third time Elyria Catholic has played Bishop Hartley, losing two of the three. The Panthers are trying to bounce back from a 3-7 finish a year ago. "I'm proud of this team," Farris said. "We have a ton of new starters out there. I'm just excited they fought a good fight. That's what we want to see. We don't believe in moral victories but at the end of the day, they know I have their back." Contact Tim Gebhardt at (440) 329-7135 or timothygeb@msn.com.