Notre Dame gridders down Holley

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 October 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley running back Colin Papaj (14) works to gain yardage during the host Hawks loss to Notre Dame this afternoon.

A big three touchdown second quarter scoring burst sparked Notre Dame to a 40-13 victory over host Holley this afternoon to close out the Genesee Region League season.

Notre Dame took the lead for good just three minutes into the first quarter on a 16 yard touchdown run by CJ Suozzi. The tally was set up when the Irish took over at the Hawks 24 following a high snap on a Holley punt attempt.

Notre Dame then broke the contest wide open by a 26-0 margin at the half with touchdowns on three straight second quarter possessions on runs of 4 and 5 yards by Jack Sutherland and on a 6 yard pass from quarterback Joe Zicki to Luca Zambito.

Pass interceptions by Casey Midwick and Zicki set up two of those scores while the Irish convered two fourth down plays to key the other drive.

Notre Dame upped the lead to 33-0 at the three quarter mark as Zicki completed a 25 yard touchdown pass to Josh Johnson.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley quarterback Nick Passarell (12) tries to avoid the tackle of Notre Dame’s Josh Johnson (3).

Holley broke onto the scoreboard in the opening minute of the fourth quarter on a 4 yard touchdown run by quarterback Nick Passarell. Runs of 16 and 13 yards by Colin Papaj and 17 yards by Passarell highlighted the drive.

The Hawks also scored on a 1 yard touchdown run by Glen Robb in the final minute as AJ Wright added the extra point kick. Passarell completed passes of 35 yards to Zach Vaccarelli and 10 yards to Papaj to key the drive.

Notre Dame rounded out the scoring when Spencer Misaik returned the ensuing kickoff some 70 yards for a touchdown with just four seconds to go.

Notre Dame finishes the regular season at 3-3 in the league and 4-3 overall while Holley winds up at 1-5, 1-6.