Lansdale Catholic shows no mercy in rout of Springfield-Montco

LOWER GWYNEDD >> Early on, it looked like a shootout as Lansdale Catholic took on Springfield Friday night.

Unfortunately for the Spartans, their offense just couldn’t keep up with LC’s as they fell 49-7 in the non-league contest at Wissahickon.

After the Crusaders marched down the field and scored with relative ease on their opening possession, Springfield quarterback Justin Hill let go of a beautiful 67-yard touchdown pass and after less than five minutes of play both teams looked poised to keep it going all night.

However, something clicked for the LC defense as it tightened up and didn’t allow another score for the rest of the game.

“It was huge that our defense was able to give up a touchdown early like that and then not let them score the rest of the way,” LC coach Tom Kirk said. “They have great speed and we knew about it and that was just their guy making a great play.”

On the other end, the Crusader offense showed no signs of slowing up.

Led by quarterback Michael Basilii and running back Ryan Quigley, LC punted just once the entire game and basically scored whenever and however it wanted.

Basilii finished 5-for-6 for 147 yards and three touchdowns as he had the long ball working all night, scoring on completions of 25, 30, and 52.

His presence in the pocket definitely stood out for a kid that’s just a junior as he stood in and took big hits on most of his completions.

“He looked very poised and took a couple of big shots out there after he let go of the football,” said Kirk. “He’s really coming along. We’re asking him to do more each week and we knew we had to be able to throw the ball tonight and he did a great job.”

Quigley was held relatively quiet on the ground in the first half as he carried the ball seven times for just 32 yards, but the Spartans couldn’t hold him forever. In the second half, he exploded for 100 yards and two touchdowns, finishing the game with 177 yards from scrimmage and four scores.

“We felt great out there.” Quigley said. “I just go out there and do what I’m told. Whatever my role is I do it, if they wanted me to play guard I’d play guard. I just have to go out there and do whatever they tell me to the best of my ability.”

What started out looking like a battle between two top AA teams turned into a rout once Quigley and the Crusaders were able to get their feet under themselves and get moving.