LCC looks solid in victory over Bluffton

LIMA - Lima Central Catholic put together a complete game Saturday night at Lima Stadium and the result was a 31-0 victory over Bluffton in Northwest Conference action.

The T-Birds dominated on both sides of the ball and they were especially dominant on defense.

LCC held the Pirates to three first downs in the game and forced the Pirates into eight different three-and-out possessions plus Bluffton was forced to punt 11 times in the game.

Linebackers Taylor Cook, Jacob Rigali and Garrett Burgoon all had highlight performances for the T-Birds.

Offensively, the T-Birds had their best rushing game of the year as the squad totaled 380 yards on 55 carries. Daniel Lombardo rushed six times for 115 yards to lead the LCC ground game. Cook added 80 yards in 10 attempts and Taylor Royster added chipped in with 60 yards on 11 carries.

LCC improves to 4-4 on the season and 4-2 in the NWC while Bluffton stands 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the NWC.

Freshman quarterback Tyler O'Connor had a big game throwing the ball, finishing with 188 yards on 11 of 22 passing attempts. He connected with Desi Kirkman seven times for 100 yards.

O'Connor also kicked three field goals for the T-Birds. He connected from 35, 29, and 30 yards in the game.

The first half saw LCC move the ball up and down the field but it led only 6-0 at the intermission on two field goals by O'Connor.

"We felt fortunate going into the half only down 6-0," Bluffton coach Dennis Lee said. "They connected on a couple of big plays to make their field goals. We showed absolutely no consistency on offense."

LCC went 72 yards in only three plays after receiving the second half kick-off and Kirkman went the final 55 yards for the score to put the T-Birds up 14-0. O'Connor connected on his third field goal late in the third quarter to put the T-Birds up 17-0.

O'Connor connected with Kirkman on a 41-yard scoring strike on the second play of the fourth quarter to put the T-Birds up 24-0. Royster added a 16-yard touchdown run midway through the final period.

"We weren't putting the ball in the end zone despite moving the ball early," LCC coach Jerry Cooper said. "(O'Connor's) kicking was critical to our building a lead. The score on the first possession of the third quarter was huge. Cook and Lombardo both did a nice job of running the ball tonight."