Damien’s quick-strike offense struck down Canada’s St. Thomas More Collegiate on Saturday at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium.
Apereamo Sulu rushed for three scores and caught a touchdown pass as No. 8 Damien beat St. Thomas More 56-14 in a nonleague game.
The Monarchs, who benefitted from good field position the entire game, averaged only 3.4 plays on their eight touchdown drives.
“It was just good blocking going around for our guys, our running backs were running hard, our receivers were making big plays and catching balls,” said Damien coach Eddie Klaneski.
Sulu, a junior, scored on runs of 30, 10 and 7 yards and took a screen pass from Jake Holtz and rumbled 74 yards for a score.
>> Click here to see photos of the game between Damien and St. Thomas More.
“My coach told me to stay patient and I did,” Sulu said of the touchdown reception. “Once I saw the blocking I just took it all the way to the house.”
Sulu finished with 12 carries for 122 yards and caught two passes for 140 yards. He went to the sideline for good midway through the third quarter.
“Just finding the holes, they made it easier for me,” Sulu said of his offensive line. “Scoring four TDs, I didn’t think I could do it. I’m glad I have a great brotherhood that protects me.”
Sulu has carried the ball 49 times for 308 yards and six touchdowns this season.
“He brings a lot of dynamic ability,” Klaneski said. “He has good vision, he runs with the ball hard, he’s a tough guy to tackle. He can run and catch the ball. He makes quick moves and once he gets going straight ahead, it’s hard to stop him.”
Klaneski improved to 43-40 in his ninth season at his alma mater.
“It’s not really a big deal to me. I’m just excited that we’ve turned the program around in the time we did,” he said.
Holtz finished 8-for-16 for 191 yards and also opened the scoring with a 20-yard keeper. He also threw a 25-yard scoring pass to Ezra Kaina.
The Monarchs also scored on Chance Maghinay Santos’ 9-yard run, a 20-yard pass from Logan Lacio to Aukusitino Atonio and Christian Souza’s 36-yard field goal.
Damien improved to 4-0 this season.
“Last year, we weren’t really confident, but this year we feel like we have it in the bag,” Sulu said. “We want to keep pushing forward and keep the undefeated streak.”
It was the season opener for the Knights, of Burnaby, B.C.
St. Thomas More scored on a 3-yard pass from Anthony De Lazzari to Alex Cordeiro and Nick Osho’s 62-yard run. Osho finished with 12 carries for 119 yards.
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No. 8 Damien 56, St. Thomas More 14
At Skippa Diaz Stadium
>> St. Thomas (0-1) 0 7 7 0 — 14
>> Damien (4-0) 19 13 21 3 — 56
Damien — Jake Holtz 20 run (Christian Souza kick)
Damien — Apereamo Sulu 74 pass from Holtz (kick failed)
Damien — Ezra Kaina 25 pass from Holtz (kick blocked)
St. Thomas — Alex Cordeiro 3 pass from Anthony De Lazzari (Cordeiro kick)
Damien — Sulu 30 run (kick failed)
Damien — Sulu 10 run (Souza kick)
Damien — Sulu 7 run (Souza kick)
Damien — Chance Maghinay Santos 9 run (Souza kick)
St. Thomas — Nick Osho 62 run (Cordeiro kick)
Damien — Aukusitino Atonio 20 pass from Logan Lacio (Souza kick)
Damien — FG Souza 36
RUSHING — St. Thomas More: Osho 12-119, Marc Abboud 7-42, Josh Lunot 4-34, Rickey Parsons 3-12, Gabe Nacario 1-2, Nico Borromeo 3-(minus 4), De Lazzari 1-(minus 7), Tate Friesen 1-(minus 11), TEAM 3-(minus 22). Damien: Sulu 12-122, Santos 10-105, Holtz 2-30, Duke Hoohuli 1-8, Hakanalea Meyer 1-(minus 3).
PASSING — St. Thomas More: De Lazzari 10-17-2-123. Damien: Holtz 8-16-1-191, Lacio 2-31.
RECEIVING — St. Thomas More: Cordeiro 4-33, Nacario 3-78, Lunot 2-2, Jack Wagner 1-10. Damien: Sulu 2-140, Kaina 2-30, Jarvis Natividad 2-21, Meyer 2-0, Atonio 1-20, Jayce Jay-Pedro 1-11.
