Vianney quarterback Steve Callanan gets off a pass while being chased by DeSmet linebacker Patrick Mahoney. ( Sean Gallagher)

KIRKWOOD Steve Callanan chose his words carefully on Wednesday.

The Vianney senior quarterback was cautious about saying anything negative about his team's next opponent, but he still wanted to make his point.

"We know, obviously, DeSmet is a very good team and we're not like cocky or anything," he said. "We're the underdogs. ... We're a good team, and I think we can give DeSmet a run for their money and definitely surprise some people."

The Golden Griffins did just that Friday night behind record-setting performances by Callanan and wide receiver Tim Windhorst. Vianney exploded for 28 second-quarter points and rolled over visiting DeSmet 51-27 in a Metro Catholic Conference matchup of undefeated squads.

"I definitely think we surprised some people and turned a few heads," Callanan said.

Callanan sprained his left ankle in practice Wednesday and was on crutches Thursday but showed no ill effects when the lights came on. He completed five of eight passes for 229 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in the second quarter alone. He finished with 12 completions on 22 attempts for 333 yards with a school-record six touchdowns and one interception.

"This game is going to be a legend on this campus 20 years from now, and it's going to be because of what that kid did," Vianney coach Gene Gladstone said of his quarterback. "That's just a rare, rare deal to see a kid play like he did after having as severe an injury as he had Wednesday afternoon."

Windhorst, Callanan's favorite target, caught five passes for a school-record 239 yards and scored four touchdowns. Callanan and Windhorst hooked up three times in the second quarter for touchdown passes covering 81, 11 and 93 yards.

Vianney, which was 2-8 a year ago and finished last in the five-team MCC, improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play with the victory. DeSmet, which went 10-1 last season and is ranked sixth among area large schools, fell to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in league play.

"Our guys have been sitting on this potential all year long," Gladstone said. "We've seen glimpses of it throughout the year, and tonight it was just spectacular."

The second-quarter fireworks display certainly was. Vianney turned a 13-13 game on its head by scoring 28 unanswered points and took a 41-13 lead into halftime.