Junior QB whiz Joey Silveri ran up some impressive offensive numbers again Friday night, this time spoiling the coaching return of Tim Gibson and the debut of the remodeled Ron Stehouwer Stadium.

Silveri passed almost at will to lead perennial powerhouse Grand Rapids Catholic Central to a 44-7 triumph over Wayland.

The Cougars wasted no time, putting their first TD on the scoreboard with the game less than two minutes old. They threatened to run away with the ballgame on their next possession when a long pass play put the ball on the three-yard line and first and goal. But Wayland’s magnificent goal line stand pushed them back two yards in three plays and they had to settle for a Don Bowers field goal.

Down 10-0, the Wildcats put together their best offensive threat of the evening, mostly as a result of the running and passing of senior quarterback Justin Holtz, who scrambled for first-down yardage on one play, passed for another and hit Dustin Simmons with a 29-yard TD strike early in the second period.

Wayland was down only 10-7 early in the second quarter, but Catholic Central then exploded for four touchdowns before the halftime siren sounded.  Silveri hooked up with D. Mikolay for a couple of six-pointers and just when it looked like the ‘Cats were going to turn in another gallant goal line stand, Silvery got the six-point job done on a fourth and six.

The last touchdown was a dagger in the heart, as Jace Williams hauled in a scoring pass just as the halftime siren sounded to put the visiting unit up 38-7. It was all over the but the shouting.

The Cougars put the proverbial icing on the cake just before the start of the fourth quarter on a clock-eating 61-yard drive and sending the game to the dictates of a running clock.

Wayland held a brief ceremony honoring the stadium remodeling and installation of artificial turf and welcoming back Gibson, who left about 15 years ago to start the grid program at Forest Hills Eastern. Ironically, he spent the last several seasons as an assistant at Grand Rapids Catholic Central, winner of four consecutive regional championships.

Unfortunately, it was the 13th consecutive loss for Wayland over the past three seasons.

The Wildcats will be at home again next Friday to entertain Cedar Springs.

COVER PHOTO: Two Wildcat players and other dignitaries took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony calling attention to the new artificial turf, lights and remodeling project for Ron Stehouwer Stadium.