Derrick Walker (4) breaks to the outside for Lumen Christi Catholic High School during a game on Friday against Traverse City St. Francis. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(September 2, 2022 10:27 PM) The Lumen Christi Catholic High School football team fell short of another highly ranked football team.
The Titans lost 42-35 to No. 2 ranked Traverse City St. Francis at home on Friday.
Lumen Christi faced the No. 1 (New Lothrop) and No. 2 ranked teams to begin the season.
It appeared as if the Gladiators from Traverse City were going to run over the Titans, driving 67 yards in only five plays to begin the game.
But Lumen Christi responded with a 14-play drive to tie the game at 7-all on a 1-yard run by Devian Franklin.
The Titan defense stopped Traverse City on fourth down giving the offense the football on their own 25-yard-line. It didn’t take long as LCCHS quarterback Joe Lathers faked a run to Derrick Walker and ran around the end for a 25-yard score.
The kick by Andrew Salazar gave LCCHS a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Traverse City scored on a 9-yard touchdown pass by Wyatt Nausadis to Garrett Hathaway to tie the game halfway through the second quarter.
After a three-and-out by the Titans, TCSF scored on a 34-yard pass to Burke Flowers for a 21-14 lead.
The Titans tied the game with a 3-yard touchdown run by Walker with just over 2 minutes remaining in the half.
But St. Francis was not going to sit on the ball, scoring on a 69-yard drive in only seven plays for a 28-21 halftime lead.
The Titans tied the game at 28-all on a scintillating 78-yard run by Lathers with 5:11 remaining in the third quarter.
Lumen Christi stopped TCSF twice in the third quarter, but the Gladiators took the lead for good with a score at the 10:46 mark of the fourth quarter.
TCSF took a two-score lead at the 4:30 mark, but the Titans fought back.
Lathers scored another rushing touchdown on a 5-yard run with 2:38 remaining in the game.
Lumen Christi stopped St. Francis and had the ball on TCSF’s side of the field before a sack ended the contest.
Lathers ran for 128 yards and threw for 67 yards for Lumen Christi. Walker ran for 89 yards on 20 carries.
Garrett Slider and Devian Franklin each recorded eight tacks for the Titans (0-2).
Kadell Williams was solid in the return game with 153 return yards on four kickoffs for the Titans. Salazar kicked all five extra points for LCCHS.
Nausadis was too much for the Titans with 84 rushing yards and 11-for-12 passing for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He is also listed as a defensive back for the Gladiators, returned kicks, and punted against the Titans.