Bellarmine pounded SI to keep its undefeated record in tact when it pounded the visiting Wildcats 30-8 in a West Catholic Athletic League match-up at San Jose City College. The Bells move to 2-0 in league play and 5-0 overall for the season with the win. St. Ignatius dropped to 3-4 (0-3 in league).

"The key to tonight's win was great defense," said Bellarmine coach Mike Janda. "We only gave up one big play."

"[Andy] Armstrong was all over the field making tackles," said Janda, "and our interior line play was very good, especially by our nose guard [Chip] Lewis. [Langston] Johnson had a big sack for us, too."

While the Bells defense was shutting down St. Ignatius, the Bells offense was producing a balanced attack with the arm of quarterback Darrin Bragg and the legs of running back Chris Parrette.

Bragg completed 13 of 26 passes for 228 yards and one touchdown. His favorite receivers on the night were Ryan Harris (five catches for 109 yards and one touchdown) and Randy Lewis (six grabs for 106 yards). Parrette carried 32 times for 128 yards and three touchdowns. Jelani Young added 56 yards on eight carries.

Bellarmine scored its first touchdown when Bragg hit Lewis in the corner of the end zone with an 11-yard toss.

In the second quarter the Bells took over at the St. Ignatius 35-yard line after forcing the Wildcats to punt from their own end zone. Bragg hit Lewis again as he made an over-the-shoulder catch going out of bounds at the 5-yard line. Parrette pounded it in from the four with his first touchdown of the night. Bragg flipped a 2-point pass to Dustin Coppernoll for the conversion and the Bells were up 14-0.

There was no more scoring in the half as the Bells defense continued to shine. It denied St. Ignatius the only time the Cats got close when cornerback Steve McGovern grabbed an interception as SI quarterback Zac Lee had to throw under intense pressure from Armstrong.

Bellarmine began the second half just as strong offensively. The Bells marched 65 yards in a 16-play drive that consumed over half of the third quarter. It ended when Juan Gamboa booted a 23-yard field goal to give the Bells a 17-0 lead.

Early in the fourth quarter St. Ignatius was desperately trying to get its offense clicking, so the 'Cats went for it on fourth down and six at their own 35-yard line. Johnson came up with a big play as he sacked Lee for a 9-yard loss, giving the Bells the ball on downs at the St. Ignatius 26.

Five quick running plays (four to Parrette) later, the Bells were on the board again as Parrette took it in from the 2-yard line for his second touchdown of the night.

After the touchdown, the Bells committed two dead ball personal fouls that resulted in 30 yards of penalties, making the PAT a 50-yard kick. Gamboa kicked it right through and the Bells were up 24-0.

St. Ignatius finally got a score when Lee hit Chaz Morales on a 60-yard scoring pass.

Bellarmine would score one final time, which was set up when Lewis intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards to the St. Ignatius 7-yard line. Parrette made it three touchdowns on the night when he pounded it in from the two.

It's a good thing that the Bells are playing good defense as they face a tough schedule in their quest for a league championship. The Bells are looking at Serra, St. Francis and Valley Christian in three of their final four games.

"Our league is so good and the competition is so tough, you have to go ready to play," said Janda. "From this point on anything can happen."

The Bells will visit Serra on Oct. 24, 7 p.m.