Ascension Catholic bounced from the playoffs

The Ascension Catholic Bulldogs had a great season that culminated in seven wins, but it came to an end Friday night in the first round of the playoffs.

Ascension Catholic fell hard to the tenth-seeded Westminster Christian Crusaders 42-12 on the road.

The scoring opened up with a Luke Judice touchdown run from one yard out to put Westminster up 7-0 heading into the second quarter. That's when the Crusaders broke things wide open.

Wesley Bellard pounded his way into the end zone for a two-yard score and just before the half, Chase Malbrue connected with Judice for a 55-yard touchdown to put Westminster in total command at 21-0 for the break.

The onslaught continued for the Crusaders in the third quarter. Bellard got into the end zone for a second time after a five-yard run. And to head into the fourth quarter with a 35-0 lead, Joseph Shamp scored from two yards out.

Finally, the Westminster scoring barrage ended in the fourth quarter with a four-yard touchdown run by Donyell Young to put the Crusaders firmly out in front 42-0.

With the game out of reach, Ascension Catholic was finally able to get on the scoreboard to make things look a little more respectable.

D.J. Latino hooked up with Thomas Gros for a 44-yard touchdown connection, and Latino finished it off when he hit Patrick Butler for a 31-yard score as the Bulldogs' playoff run came to an early end at 42-12.

In the win, Westminster out-gained Ascension Catholic 358-310 with 246 of those yards coming on the ground. They also beat the Bulldogs in first downs with a 19-15 edge.

Westminster will now head to the second round where they'll make a roadtrip to play No. 7 Block.

Unfortunately, Ascension Catholic's season has come to an end, but the Bulldogs sure have nothing to hang their heads over.

Under first-year head coach Doug Moreau, they improved from a 4-6 squad a year ago to a 7-3 team this season that finished third in the district.

And the future only looks bright for Ascension Catholic. They return most of their key players next season.

Though they will lose Matt Reed, Wade Bailey, Gros and Alex Sotile, they return Latino at quarterback. Along with Latino, they bring back some explosive offensive weapons in Butler, Gilbert Allen and Jacquel Wade.

On the offensive line, they will return Luke Albarado. Sam Mattingly will return at linebacker, and the sophomore Delmond Landry will come back as a force on the defensive line.