WCNC

Charlotte Catholic quarterback Christian Culicerto (right).

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Over the years, Charlotte Catholic has become notable for their running game, inspired by head coach Jim Oddo’s Wing-T offense.

Somebody forgot to mention that to Cougars quarterback Christian Culicerto on Friday night.

The senior, starting in just his second varsity game at quarterback after being converted from a defensive back, continued to find comfort in his new position. Culicerto passed for 201 yards, including three touchdowns, as the Cougars (2-0, 0-0) defeated the Myers Park Mustangs (1-1, 0-0), 35-18.

It was the first time in recent memory that Charlotte Catholic had more passing yards than rushing.

Culicerto said he owed his stellar play to his teammates.

“(My teammates this season) just accepted me in and knew I could do it,” said Culicerto, “and that’s all I needed to get the job done.”

The Cougars were also aided by their consistently strong running game. Senior RJ Sweeney finished with over 100 yards, including two touchdown runs over 20 yards each.

Myers Park struggled to maintain possession of the ball for much of the game, falling victim to bad snaps, failed fourth down conversions, and turnovers on three fumbles.

Catholic used their opponent’s mistakes to capitalize. Following the Mustangs' initial fumble in the first quarter, the Cougars needed less than 30 seconds to score with a Sweeney run.

“They had a lot of turnovers, and we feel fortunate to get the breaks,” said Coach Oddo.

Mustangs quarterback Stuart Ahlum connected for two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter against a sleeping Cougar defense, but it was too little, too late.

Although the Mustangs were outplayed throughout majority of the game by the dominating Catholic squad, a shining spot for the team was junior running back Eric Williams.

Already coming off a two-touchdown, 154-yard effort last week, Williams contributed an additional touchdown and 171 rushing yards – an average of over eight yards per carry.

Oddo had nothing but compliments for the opposing back.

“They have a fantastic back,” said Oddo of Williams. “There was time and time again we could have stopped him for little or no gain, but he’s just a horse.”

Despite his accomplishments, Williams was not satisfied.

“I don’t think about myself, I think about the team,” said Williams. “We play for the team, we play together. So my stats – I could care less about them.”

Coming off a 65-0 victory against Garinger last week, Williams disagreed that his team had underestimated the Cougars.

“I just think we weren’t that focused,” said Williams. “But we will make it up – (we will be) more focused, and play harder.”

Looking ahead to the future, Coach Oddo, who said he had full confidence in his new quarterback, seemed excited about the prospects of a more diverse offensive game for the Cougars.

“We are going to pass some more,” said Oddo. “We got some people who can catch, and we’re going to open (the offense) up again.”

The Cougars visit Charlotte Country Day next week, while the Mustangs return home to host Hopewell.