It's not every game that a football team can assert itself with game-changing plays in every aspect of the game: offense, defense and special teams.

Thursday afternoon, Father Gabriel Richard High School did so in eight minutes.

A 30-yard touchdown scamper by captain Dennis Olszewski just three minutes into the game, followed by defensive tackle Carl Pressprich's fumble recovery and a blocked punt gave the Fighting Irish a decisive 20-0 lead en route to a 54-14 blowout win over Albion in Ann Arbor.

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"When we come out clicking like this and we build a lead, it just opens doors for us," Gabriel Richard coach Brian Lemons said. "And everything is working. Our run game opened up lanes for our pass game, and vice versa."

Once the Irish (2-0) opened up such a big lead so quickly, the Wildcats were doomed. Albion dressed just 18 players for the game and simply didn't have the depth to stage a comeback or even keep pace with Gabriel Richard.

Even when the Fighting Irish starters were benched in the first half, Albion couldn't keep up.

"When we switched to our No. 2s, we didn't slow down, didn't miss a beat," Lemons said. "I think that's a great sign for us, moving forward."

With a 27-0 lead heading into the second quarter and the running game hitting on all cylinders (the Irish finished with 218 yards on the ground), Lemons saw a perfect opportunity to get his backup quarterback, Joseph Kendzicky, some much-needed playing time.

Kendzicky started warming up his arm on the sideline during the Irish's first possession of the second quarter, which ended in another score, and he played the rest of the way.

"The reps we got for Joe today were as valuable as anything we'll be able to take out of today, as a team," Lemons said.

That's because Kendzicky, who played wide receiver last season, had never taken a snap in a competitive game before. In preseason practice, Kendzicky switched spots out of necessity and practiced with a handful of guys vying for the backup spot.

Although the Irish have a very reliable starter in Don Eaton, who racked up 74 yards passing in his very limited action, it was crucial for Gabriel Richard to find confidence in the backup.

Kendzicky made some mistakes that are to be expected from a first-timer, like taking a few untimely sacks, but he threw a touch-pass to Tony Menozzi for a 13-yard touchdown.

In fact, Lemons got a chance to play everybody on the roster.

"Now everyone has experience under fire, everyone has seen the field," Lemon said. "That should help us next week, because now if anyone goes down, the kid behind him will be confident and ready to go."

Next week happens to be Notre Dame Prep, a rival and the Irish's first Catholic League contest.

"Prep is a well-coached, tough team," Lemons said. "If we don't play at our absolute best, we're not going to beat them."