LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Colin Stolly made a winning debut as Lima Central Catholic’s head coach Friday night, guiding the Thunderbirds to a 22-19 victory over Shawnee at Shawnee Stadium.

Shawnee struck first just two minutes into the game when JJ Spyker connected with Reese Davidson on a 60-yard screen pass to take a 7-0 lead. LCC answered with a methodical drive capped by quarterback Brady Parker’s three-yard touchdown run to tie the score.

The teams traded blows in the second quarter. Spyker found Chase DePalma for a 28-yard score, but a missed extra point left Shawnee ahead 13-7. Parker responded by hitting Michael Quatman on a 57-yard touchdown to give the Thunderbirds a 14-13 edge. Spyker put Shawnee back in front with a rushing touchdown before halftime, but another missed extra point made it 19-14.

The decisive play came in the fourth quarter. With 8:30 remaining, Parker and Quatman connected again on a nearly identical long touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion, giving LCC the final lead at 22-19.

Shawnee had a late chance but came up empty on fourth-and-six from the LCC seven-yard line with two minutes left. Spyker was sidelined with cramps in the final series, and the Thunderbirds held on.

LCC improves to 1-0 to start the season, while Shawnee falls to 0-1.

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