Just like that, Carmel tops Viator

Doing business briskly was the goal for Carmel Catholic's football team in its opening game of the East Suburban Catholic Conference schedule.

The Corsairs scored in the blink of an eye, not once, but twice. In a span of just 54 seconds, junior running back Michael Panico found the end zone, as the Corsairs ran away from St. Viator 39-0 in Mundelein on Friday night.

"It's essential going against anybody in our league, especially St. Viator, because they're so explosive offensively," said Carmel coach Andy Bitto, whose team improved to 3-0 overall. "We got them down and kept them down."

Panico (9 carries, 62 yards) broke free for a 29-yard scamper into the end zone on the team's second play for a 7-0 lead 40 seconds into the game.

Then after the Corsairs' defense stopped St. Viator (2-1, 0-1) on three straight plays, Carmel used a short field, taking over the ball at the Lions 20.

Panico again broke loose, this time scoring from 20 yards out for a 13-0 advantage.

"We've been practicing the counter inside for a while," Panico said. "St. Viator runs a perfect defense for us. I came around to the middle, saw a hole and busted through it. The line blocks well. (Halfback Matt) Maher blocks well and the whole team blocks well."

The Lions tried to slow things down after the first two scores, but had a hard time moving the ball against the Corsairs defense.

"The first two series (Carmel) took it to us," St. Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick said. "I thought our defense did well, but our offense couldn't do anything or get anything going. I thought the kids played all the way through the game."

While the Carmel defense kept St. Viator in line and forced a handful of sacks, the Corsairs offense took over the rest of the way.

Carmel added a Brian Serio (12 carries, 91 yards) 4-yard rushing touchdown, and sophomore kicker Steven O'Block made a 40-yard field in the second quarter to extend the lead to 23-0 at the break.

"Coach Bitto told me I'd get some field goals this week," O'Block said. "It's a magical feeling to get the momentum going into halftime."

O'Block also hit a 46-yard field in the third quarter. Maher (9 carries, 50 yards) scored from 9 yards out and Ryan Cappis added an 8-yard TD run.

Carmel ran for 249 yards.

Lions running back Jimmy Menges carried the ball 15 times for 110 yards, and wide receiver Nick Frett had 6 catches for 33 yards.