Walsh Jesuit football smashes Canisius to get back on track

Playing out-of-state competition for the second straight week, Walsh Jesuit football coach Nick Alexander said Canisius proved to be a bit of an enigma.

"It was really difficult for us to get information on them, because they were playing their first game," he said. "They hadn't even been able to play a scrimmage yet. We were talking how, if we look at how we looked before our first scrimmage and how we are now, we're a completely different.

"They've got some great athletes. They'll be fine."

When the squad from suburban Buffalo made the trip to Conway Memorial Stadium Sept. 2, Walsh did what it needed to do: Jump on them early.

Football:McDowell's offense proves too strong for Walsh Jesuit

Walsh (2-1) put up 34 points in the first half and cruised to a 48-6 win over Canisius in its home opener.

Alexander said the Warriors did just what they needed to after losing to McDowell in Erie, Pa. the previous week.

"It was our most complete football game to date," he said. "We've scored on special teams in all three games. I would say defensively, we're getting rolling. Those first three weeks, we've been trying to establish our own identity. This isn't last year's team."

One positive for the Warriors has been the emergence of quarterback Ryan Kershner.

The senior opened the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He went 8-of-10 for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

"Ryan Kershner has been awesome," Alexander said. "Against McDowell, we had to throw the ball a lot more than we like. Against Canisius, he went 8-of-10, was really efficient and really sharp. He's just playing better than even I expected."

Meanwhile, Walsh's running game also was humming. Justin Bremner continued his solid start to the season, rushing for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

Bremner made it 14-0 with 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by Kershner hitting a 75-yard bomb for a score to Aiden Henry.

Henry had a big game on both sides of the ball, as he also nagged an interception.

Like Henry, Trey Bell was all over the field for the Warrior.

Bell caught a 52-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter and also snagged an interception.

Up 34-0 at the half, Alexander allowed his reserves to play most of the second half, but it didn't slow the onslaught.

With Canisius trying to kick away from Bell, John Keough took the second half kickoff and returned it 70-yards for a touchdown.

Backup quarterback Ruel Tomlinson completed the scoring for Walsh with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Adam Bentley.

Walsh was set for another pair of long road trips, albeit within Ohio, beginning with a trip to Toledo Rogers Sept. 9. On Sept. 16, the Warriors will travel to Columbus St. Francis DeSales.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Walsh Jesuit football jumps on Canisius early to score rout