Ward’s Big Night Spurs Paraclete to 10-7 Win Over St. Bonaventure

Paraclete High Coach Steve Hagerty was the first to admit that his program was in disorder when he was hired in April. But Thursday night at Ventura High, his Spirits made the right moves in a 10-7 win over St. Bonaventure in a nonleague opener.

Andy Ward kicked a 17-yard field goal in the first quarter, grabbed a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brian Lathrop in the third period, and added an extra point to account for all of Paraclete’s scoring.

“To be honest, the program was in shambles when I got here,” Hagerty said. “These kids needed to learn how to win and tonight was a good start. They’ve been learning to lose for a long time.”

Paraclete has not won a league game in five seasons and finished 2-8 last year.

St. Bonaventure, a Division IX semifinalist last year, made crucial errors. An R.J. Kisling fumble, recovered by Paraclete’s Jeff Kiang at the Seraph 24, set up Ward’s field goal. St. Bonaventure also was penalized nine times for 95 yards.

Lathrop, a senior who sat out last season, completed six of 13 passes for 89 yards in his first varsity start.

Gino Nucci scampered seven yards on a fourth-and-three sweep for the Seraphs’ only score with 9 minutes 35 seconds remaining.