Hammond quarterback Dave Nidiffer looks to throw downfield as Cardinal Newman’s Kyle Maitland closes in. Photo by Jim Marczesky Dave Nidiffer threw for 283 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions to lead the Hammond Skyhawks to a 42–0 season–opening blanking of the Cardinal Newman Cardinals at Edens Field on Friday, August 27.

Hammond (1–0) started the carnage early, driving 78 yards on 12 plays on the opening drive of the game. The drive was capped by a one–yard plunge by junior Joey DeAngelis, playing for the first time against his old team. After forcing a punt by the Cardinals, the Skyhawks went 68 yards in just six plays with DeAngelis scoring from eight yards out to put Hammond up 14–0.

The Cardinals (0–1) seemed to get some offense going on their second possession putting together an eight–play drive that bridged the first and second quarters. However, the drive stalled at the Hammond 27 yard line, and senior Kyle Maitland missed a 43–yard field goal to the left.

Hammond running back Joey DeAngelis tries to avoid the tackle of Cardinal Newman’s Chris Scales. Photo by Jim Marczesky After forcing a Skyhawk punt, the Cardinals started on their own 31, but two plays later John Allen Babson jumped in front of a pass by Cardinal quarterback Tommy Winterstein and returned it 37 yards to the end zone for the third Hammond score.

Nidiffer then wasted no time going for the jugular. On the first play from scrimmage after a 71–yard punt by Maitland, the Hammond signal caller hit Beach Corontzes on a go route down the left side that kept going to the end zone and a 28–0 lead for the Skyhawks.

After the Cardinals punted on the opening drive of the second half, Hammond moved rapidly down the field, but senior Zach Coggins gave Cardinal Newman a glimmer of life when he stripped Jake Ayers after a reception and returned the ball 12 yards to the Cardinal 36. But the Cardinal offense bogged down, and after an exchange of punts, the Skyhawks took over on the Cardinal 44. Two plays later, Nidiffer hit Ayers for a 26–yard score and a 35–0 lead at the end of three quarters.

Nidiffer’s younger brother Jake, a sophomore quarterback, finished the scoring by hitting Luke Chappell on a 10–yard pass midway through the fourth quarter.

DeAngelis ran for 90 yards and the two scores for Hammond. Defensive lineman Joseph McDougal recorded 12 tackles for the Skyhawks and strong safety Les Cotter added 11.

Sterling Moye led the Cardinals with 82 yards rushing, and Jake Wilson collected eight tackles.

Hammond hosts Wilson Hall on Friday, September 3, while Cardinal Newman hosts Augusta Christian the same night.