St. Anthony's football drops season opener despite scoring 41 points against Red Bank Catholic
St. Anthony's quarterback Anthony Diieso looks to pass against Red Bank Catholic during a high school football game at Count Basie Football Stadium on Friday in Red Bank, N.J. Credit: Noah K. Murray
RED BANK, N.J. — St. Anthony’s traveled to the Jersey Shore to kick off its football season. The Friars’ offense began on a high note at Count Basie Field, putting up 41 points on Red Bank Catholic.
But a look at the scoreboard after Friday night’s game showed that this St. Anthony’s team with CHSFL AAA championship hopes has some work to do. The Friars’ considerable total was overshadowed by the Caseys’ even more considerable total.
St. Anthony’s fell 62-41 after getting outscored 21-0 in the fourth.
“Obviously, when we score 41 points in a game, we should win the football game,” coach Joe Minucci said. “We've got 10 new guys out on defense, only one returner from last year right now. Our youth showed. We’ve got to get better.”
The Friars, who host another strong Jersey team in St. Peter’s Prep next Friday night, returned nine starters on offense.
Boston College-bound senior running back Xavier Bala ran for 85 yards and a touchdown and caught a TD pass, but this game was more QB Anthony Diieso’s show.
“We run a lot of RPO [run-pass option], so he has the option to either [pass] it or give it,” Bala said. “… He did a great job in the throw game, the run game, everything.”
The junior threw for 353 yards and four touchdowns with one interception, and he raced 71 yards for a score.
“He worked his butt off all offseason,” Minucci said. “He got a ton of game reps, game experience, last year as a sophomore. So we expect big things of him.”
Diieso passed praise in every direction but his own.
“Definitely, my O-line,” he said. “I’ve got to give all my credit to them. They give their 100% to me. [And] the receivers making great catches and the coaches making great play calls.”
It was 41-41, and then Gabe Kemp ran 20 yards through the middle for a touchdown, giving Red Bank Catholic (1-1) the lead with 8:55 left.
Jason Berecsky intercepted Diieso on the ensuing possession, and Jordan Mosenthine ran 9 yards for a score. Then Kemp raced 9 yards for his fourth rushing TD.
Before all that, Diieso tossed scoring passes to Bala, Rory McDermott (nine catches, 134 yards), Luke Maurino and James Barrese.
“I thought [Diieso] was phenomenal,” Caseys coach Mike Lange said. “I knew that coming in. … I thought they had a really, really good offense. I was terrified. Credit to them.”
