Offense powers Providence to win

Updated: October 8, 2011 5:17PM

Providence was desperate for a win. Andrew Hoffmeister and Chris Salazar gave the Celtics a ground and air assault that made the difference.

Senior running back Hoffmeister rushed for two touchdowns and senior quarterback Salazar threw for 136 yards and one touchdown as the visiting Celtics snapped a three-game losing streak by smashing Lake Forest Academy 46-14 in a Catholic League crossover Saturday afternoon in Lake Forest.

Hoffmeister broke a 68-yard run on the second play from scrimmage. One play later he barreled in from three-yards for the 7-0 Providence lead.

“This was a different atmosphere for us today,” Hoffmeister said. “We knew they had some Division I players, and obviously we needed a win pretty badly, The line, especially Ryan Ward, made great blocks and I just ran behind them the whole time.”

Hoffmeister did all of his damage in the first half, carrying the ball 10 times for 128 yards and the two scores. “His running really set up the passing game,” Salazar said. “It was great to get a score on the opening possession like that.”

Providence (4-3) jumped out to a 17-0 lead after the first quarter. Hoffmeister’s 29-yard run keyed Nick Beller’s 24-yard field goal. Senior Mike Valentino intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 25-yards for another touchdown. Defensive back Troy Sheppard also blocked a Lake Forest Academy field goal attempt.

Hoffmeister’s running set the Celtics’ dominant tone, and Salazar took over in the second quarter. Salazar’s 38-yard strike to wide receiver Chad Weaver set up Hoffmeister’s three-yard touchdown burst. Salazar followed by connecting with Weaver on a 60-yard touchdown pass for the commanding 31-0 lead.

Weaver caught four passes for 108 yards. The two long completions both came with Salazar rolling right.

“On those plays, I have a run-pass option, but I like having the chance to see the field and have different receivers to throw to,” Salazar said.

Junior reserve running back Brandon Price made the most of his extended playing time. He closed out the scoring with a 16-yard run for the 38-0 Celtics‘ halftime advantage. On the Celtics’ first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Price ripped off a 52-yard run that triggered the running clock. Price finished with 9 carries for 105 yards.

Lake Forest Academy (1-6) scored twice against the Celtics’ reserves. Running back Quai Chandler scored on a 40-yard run in the third quarter and quarterback Seamus Finnegan threw a three-yard touchdown fade pass to receiver Charles Harris on the final play from scrimmage.

Finnegan finished 14-28 for 97 yards, with one touchdown and the interception.

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