HILLSBOROUGH - -- Cardinal Gibbons executed in all phases as the Crusaders scored all 53 of their points in the first half and rolled to a 53-14 victory over Cedar Ridge in a nonconference game.

Cardinal Gibbons, ranked No. 6 in the News and Observer poll, moved to 6-0 overall, while Cedar Ridge fell to 0-6.

The high-octane Crusader offense started with a 38-yard field goal by Caine Junginger. After Stephen Scott recovered a Cedar Ridge fumble on the ensuing possession, the Crusaders took over at the Cedar Ridge 12-yard line. Danny Schult capped the short scoring drive by bulling into the end zone from two yards out. The extra point by Junginger gave Cardinal Gibbons a 10-0 lead midway through the first period.

The Crusader offense scored on its first five possessions, including a touchdown run by David Smith, a touchdown pass from quarterback Shawn Stankavage to Dante DiMaggio, and a touchdown run by Scott Washle.

The Cardinal Gibbons defense was dominant in the first half, holding Cedar Ridge to negative eight total yards. The Crusader defense also forced five turnovers in the first half, consistently giving the offense great field position. The defense added two points on a safety when Cedar Ridge quarterback Robert Moore was flagged for intentionally grounding the ball while in his own end zone.

“I have got a bunch of kids who love to play the game,” said Cardinal Gibbons head coach Steven Wright. “I asked them before the game to come out focused and to play with intensity. The defense was just lights-out. I have never had a defensive line be that dominant in a half.”

Stankavage completed nine of 13 passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. Stankavage was replaced by DiMaggio at quarterback for the second half.

The Red Wolves scored late in the third period after blocking a Cardinal Gibbons punt. Cedar Ridge used six straight running plays with Moore capping the drive with a quarterback sneak. Moore started at quarterback for the Red Wolves in place of the injured Josh Keihle.