Sep 28, 2003 By Kevin Harrison For The 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville Falcons had hoped to build upon last week’s win over Butler when they hosted Central Catholic Friday night. The Vikings showed the Falcons they still have a ways to go before they catch up to the playoff contenders in the Quad-East conference, using the big play to run past the Falcons 43-3.

Central Catholic relied on the legs of running back Eugene Jarvis, who finished with 110 yards and three touchdowns, great special teams play, and a solid defense to run its record 3-0 in the conference and 5-0 overall.

“We work a lot on special teams, and the kids executed real well, in blocking a punt and getting into the end zone,” Vikings head coach Art Walker, Jr. said. “The blocked punt really motivated us, Eugene Jarvis made some big runs for us, but credit has to go to the big guys on the line for making it happen.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Central Catholic pressured Connellsville (0-2, 1-4) into a poor punt and took over at the Falcons’ 30. On the next play Jarvis sprinted around the right end for 26 yards down to the Falcons’ 3. Two plays later Jarvis scored on a three-yard run. The kick by Adam Sculli gave the Vikings a 7-0 lead.

Central Catholic’s defense held the Falcons to three plays, and the Vikings took the punt at their 46. Following a 4-yard run to the 50 by Shane Murray, Jarvis went 50 yards for the score. Sciulli’s kick gave the Vikings a 14-0 lead.

Central Catholic’s lead swelled to 21-0 later in the quarter when they blocked a Falcons’ punt and Adam Young returned it 11 yards for the score.

“Central Catholic is an impressive football team,” Falcons head coach Andy Robertson said. “We should be able to cover the field and make some tackles on special teams. The bad thing on the blocked punt was there were three other guys waiting to make the play. If some of the people on special teams don’t want to get the job done, I’ll have to find somebody that does.”

Central Catholic struck for three more scores in the third quarter. With 5:50 left, Falcon quarterback Andy Lonigro was hit from behind as he attempted to throw. The Falcons recovered the loose football, but were tackled in the end zone for a safety, increasing Central’s lead to 23-0.

“We had a little trouble with mistakes early in the ballgame,” Walker said. “Once we settled down and got into our game, things started going our way. Like any other coach, we would like to put together some 10- or 12-play drives. We’ve got to use our ability to break a big play to its best advantage.”

Central Catholic picked up its final touchdowns on three big plays. Following the safety, Connellsville kicked off, and the Vikings took over at their 49. Jesse McLean took a hand-off and streaked untouched through the middle of the Falcons’ defense for a 51-yard scoring run, giving the Vikings a 30-0 advantage.

The “mercy rule” went into effect with a little more than a minute left in the third quarter. Jarvis scored his third touchdown on the night on a 32-yard run making the score 36-0.

Central Catholic put its final points on the board in the fourth quarter. Forcing the Falcons to punt, Lamar Mason came onto the field late to return the kick. He pulled the punt in at his 10, and danced up the sideline for a 90-yard return. The Falcons avoided the shutout on the final play of the game on a 33-yard field goal from Justin Farrell.

“We are into the toughest part of our schedule with a banged up football team,” Robertson said. “One starter, Brad Firestone, returned tonight after being sidelined three weeks with an injury. Tonight he suffered another injury that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. Another starter, Johnathan Arndt, was unavailable after he was injured in practice this week.”