Cold. Wet. Muddy.

Overall, things were just fine Friday night for Catholic High, which rolled to a 41-6 win over District 6-3A rival Berwick. Despite the miserable playing conditions -- a heavy, steady rain fell from late in the first quarter on -- CHS gained more than 400 total yards, including 226 on the ground, to improve to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in district.

The win sets up a showdown with district leader E.D. White (8-1, 4-0), a 47-0 winner over Franklin on Friday, with a share of the 6-3A championship on the line.

(Use arrows above to view more photos) Advertisement

“We just wanted to make sure we stayed focused and not look ahead to next week,” said CHS coach Craig Brodie. “We didn’t want to get any injuries.”

Check to both of those. Quarterback Taylor Bullock went 13-for-22 for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas Theriot led the Panthers with 74 rushing yards on 11 carries. Brady Rogers scored two rushing touchdowns on six carries. And CHS came out of the game healthy, with Bullock getting over a case of conjunctivitis and Theriot returning from an injury. And the Panthers’ 15 seniors made sure the team was not looking ahead, the coach said.

“The kids knew,” said Brodie. “We didn’t have to harp on it at all.”

CHS came out throwing, with Bullock completing six of his first seven passes, his first four going to four different receivers. Catholic High threw the ball nine times in the game’s opening series, which took 12 plays and covered 90 yards. Rogers scored on an eight-yard run with 7:53 to go in the first period to give the Panthers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

After eventually forcing Berwick to punt, it took only one play for CHS to extend its lead. Devin Boutte took a screen pass, broke a tackle and was off to the races, covering 70 yards for the score with 1:46 left in the quarter. The point-after kick by Grant Quinlan made it 14-0.

“We felt like we needed to throw the ball in those conditions,” said Brodie. “You never know what you’re going to have to do in the playoffs.”

An 11-play scoring drive on the Panthers’ next possession made it 21-0 on a two-yard Ridge Miguez touchdown run. CHS threw the ball five times and ran six on the drive.

Berwick got its lone touchdown on a broken play to start the second half. On first down from the 11, Jarad Loston took a direct snap in wildcat formation, dropped the ball, then picked it up, raced to the sideline and headed upfield for an 89-yard scoring run.

The point-after was blocked by Julian Jacob, leaving the score 21-6 with 11:48 to go in the third period.

Loston finished with 126 yards on 16 carries.

Catholic High then came out and powered the ball upfield on 12 consecutive running plays, eight of them carries by Theriot, to push the lead back to three touchdowns. Bullock scored on a one-yard sneak with 5:23 left in the period for a 28-6 lead.

“We knew we could run the ball,” said Brodie.

“We struggled a little holding onto the ball (in the passing game),” said Bullock. “But the offensive line stepped up and opened up some holes, and we were able to run the ball.”

Ian Bordes then blocked a punt attempt by Berwick’s Zach Johnson and recovered it himself at the BHS 20 to set up a two-play scoring drive. Bullock completed an 11-yard pass to Cory Brodie to set up first and goal, then threw a short pass to Theriot, who fought his way into the end zone for a 35-6 lead following the PAT.

Boutte led the Panthers with four catches for 93 yards.

Theriot had five receptions for 43 yards.

Backup quarterback Joe Lissard led the final scoring drive, a nine-play, 50-yard series capped by a one-yard TD run from Rogers.

Rogers finished with 37 yards on six carries, Bullock had 34 on six runs and Miguez carried three times for 24 yards.

Next week’s game against E.D. White will be at Catholic High School.