| Joliet Catholic football returns with a hammer |
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By BILL SCHEIBE Associate Sports Editor Herald News
From the first of four speed-flash touchdowns by senior fullback Brandon Geiss to the keeper score by senior quarterback John Ruettiger to sophomore linebacker Jake Stockman's interception return through a 21-point fourth quarter, the Joliet Catholic Academy football team pounded home four words Friday night.
These Hilltoppers have arrived.
"Oh yeah, most definitely," nodded Geiss, who gained a game-high 210 yards on 20 carries as The Blur on a 5-foot-7, 180-pound frame. "We feel we won the game (Sunday vs. Mount Carmel) even though it was 21-20, and that was pretty tough. But I think we definitely proved JCA football is back."
Whether it was because JCA was back at the homefield advantage of Memorial Stadium or not, the Hillmen snapped a three-game losing streak to Morris with the largest blowout in the series -- an emotional 51-15 decision that topped even the 36-10 rout administered in the 1990 Class 4A state playoffs.
Senior quarterback John Ruettiger, the Arizona State University-bound baseball center fielder, combined 9 rushes for 45 yards with 4-of-8 passing for 51 yards. On the varsity football team for three years, No. 7 stood in the middle of the Hill Zone's fan celebration afterward, basking in the zoo's glow.
"It was like a monkey on our backs and we finally got it off," Ruettiger said. "After three games and three losses, we had been trying to do it and we finally got it off."
Make no mistake, Morris (0-2) had been more like a monster gorilla, and the Redskins rallied behind the rocket arm of senior quarterback Drew Hanson (11-of-19, 164 yards) to the two-way threat of senior receiver/safety Zach Thetard (7 catches, 125 yards). Big play begat big play, but none bigger than Stockman's 58-yard TD.
"We wanted Morris bad," Stockman said. "Oh yeah, we wanted them bad, and we took it. We got it. We took them to the woodshed."
With that comment, Stockman was referring to the postgame quote of Morris coach George Dergo from last year's 21-18 Redskin playoff win that received maximum message-board appeal. It also underscored the Hillmen pride heading into this Week 2 rematch.
But after bringing out the double-wing power in its season-opening loss to Mount Carmel, the Hilltoppers (1-1) climbed the balancing act between offense and defense, surviving the likes of Thetard and a 55-yard fumble return by senior corner Stephen Wagner with the weight that wins championships.
These Hilltoppers can block.
"Very good players," JCA coach Dan Sharp said of Morris. "But I think our offensive line, in the second half, we played Hillmen football. There were pads popping and bodies flying around out there."
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