Blocked pass Oracle Dustin Salyer knocks down a Central Catholic pass during Friday night's season opener. Bill Stauffer photo Jamie Sailors knew his first game as the Oracles head coach would be a challenge against powerhouse Central Catholic. It turned out to be an extreme challenge as the Knights left Berto Field with a 56-0 win.

The Sailors era could not have started any worse when, on the first play of the season, CC's Danny Anthrop ran a sweep 52 yards for a TD. Two minutes later Scott Windler blocked a Dustin Salyer punt and pounced on the ball in the end zone to make it 14-0 at 9:23 of the first. The Knights kept rolling. Tom Almond scored on a 6-yard run followed by a 15-yard TD scamper by Cody Christopher and CC had a four-touchdown lead late in the first period. CC's Chris Mills, who was 7 of 9, appeared ready to make it 35-0 when he tossed the ball into the end zone. Will Draper stepped in front of the receiver to stop that threat with an interception.

Changing ends of the field in the second quarter did not change the way the game played out. CC scored three more TDs to give them a 49-0 halftime lead. The only bright spot was when the Knights' Stu Cocoran picked off a Tanner Cripe pass and returned it to the Delphi 3. The Oracle defense held this time. On first down Braden Atwood stopped Tom Almond for a 2-yard loss and then forced a fumble on the following down that the Oracles recovered.

Even though CC coach Kevin O'Shea played mostly subs in the second half, the Oracle offense did not fare much better. The defense however improved, holding CC to a lone second half TD.

Delphi travels to Carroll Friday night for a 7 p.m. kickoff in the annual Bacon Bowl Classic.