The Bishop Shanahan football team achieved their first DUB of the season, winning 33-0 against Central High School of Philadelphia. This triumph was powered by two touchdowns each from Pat Gallagher and Aidan Civatella, coupled with a formidable defensive performance.
Originally scheduled for Friday, the game was rescheduled due to extreme heat, which led to the closure of schools in the Philadelphia School District.
Shanahan, with an overall record of 1-2, held Central High School (0-2) to just two yards in three plays on the game’s first possession, and then promptly embarked on a scoring drive. Quarterback Landon Wright executed the read option flawlessly, rushing for a 14-yard touchdown.
Later in the first quarter, the Eagles embarked on a 61-yard, nine-play drive that culminated in Zach Ferraro finding Civatella for an eight-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 14-0.
Central momentarily thought they had scored when senior Vance Johnson sprinted for a 67-yard touchdown, but it was nullified by a holding penalty. The possession was quickly squelched with three consecutive incompletions.
The Eagles increased their lead when Julian Haylock intercepted an Aidan McEhatton pass on the Lancers’ 43-yard line and returned it to the 3-yard line. On the very next play, Gallagher powered his way into the end zone from three yards out, giving Shanahan a 20-0 lead with under two minutes remaining in the half. This marked Gallagher’s return to the field after an injury.
In the second half, Shanahan received the kickoff and Civatella wasted no time, taking a screen pass for an 80-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 26-0.Â
On their second possession of the half, Gallagher scored his second touchdown of the afternoon with a 12-yard run, capping off a drive that began with a 22-yard rush up the middle. Gallagher finished the game with 66 yards on eight carries.
Due to a few players suffering from cramps on an already short roster, and the substantial point deficit, Central’s coaches requested a running clock for the remainder of the game, although the mercy rule was not in effect.
The Shanahan defense was dominant, allowing only nine yards rushing and limiting Central to just 39 yards of total offense. Looking ahead, the Eagles face a tough challenge as they open Ches-Mont League National Division play on Thursday night against Downingtown East.
