Hustlers Ground Firebirds In Spring Football
By Space Coast Daily // May 21, 2012
Freshmen Spark MCC Win
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Melbourne Central Catholic Hustlers gave their fans a preview of what to expect from their football team next season.
After dominating the Miami Doral Academy Firebirds 39-6 Friday evening at Hustler Stadium it was clear that the 2012 season will be exciting one for Hustler fans.
The Hustlers never trailed throughout the game as 6 different players scored touchdowns. After a scoreless first quarter, the Hustlers got on the scoreboard first when freshman quarterback Brandon Ziarno connected on a 37-yard scoring toss to freshman receiver Kyle Taylor midway through the second quarter.
Big play
The Firebirds evened the score with a 6-yard touchdown run by Gabriel Hernandez with 42 seconds remaining in the half, but MCC’s quick strike offense regained the lead as Ziarno connected with freshman running back Michael Pellick who scampered 62 yards for a touchdown to give the Hustlers the lead with 12 seconds remaining in the first half of play.
The MCC team is comprised of 31 players including 26 underclassmen. “This is a very good group of youngsters that have tremendous potential” said Hustler Coach Mike Riazzi. “We just have to get them the weight room this summer and do all we can to help them grow up fast.”
Tough defense
The Hustler defense frustrated the Firebirds as they held the Firebirds to a single first down in the second half, while the Hustler offense scored touchdowns in each of their 4 possessions of the second half.
On MCC’s opening drive of the second half, they drove 60 yards in 8 plays with Ziarno connecting with Austin Perlman on a 10 yard touchdown pass. On the Hustlers next possession, they drove 85 yards with Max Erdman breaking loose on a 32 yard run that setup Ziarno’s fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 16 yard touchdown pass to Ray Watkins.
Ziarno completed the game with 294 yards passing including 4 touchdowns with 15 completions to eight different receivers.
It’s clear that Hustler football fans have an exciting season to look forward this fall.
