| Rich South no match for JCA |
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Mike Menozzi JolietCatholicFootball.com
Rich South came into the round two game with JCA hanging their hat on their defense. It wasn’t enough.
JCA started somewhat sluggishly, with a pair of motion penalties in the first series before Brad Bourg shook loose for a 57 yard TD run. 7-0 JCA.
Rich South gained momentum with a short slant on the left side, but turned the ball over on downs when the Hilltopper defense stiffened at the 25.
Bourg converted a 4th and 3 on a scramble, just before the 1st quarter came to a close. The second quarter started with JCA in control of the ball at the Stars 11 yard line. Bourg upped the JCA score to 13-0 with an 8 yard keeper, but Platt missed his first extra point of the year, the score remained 13-0.
After JCA stopped the Stars again, the Hillmen drove to within striking distance before Clancy took it in from 3 yards out. McKeon faked the extra point, and connected to Sallese for the 2 point conversion, 21-0 JCA.
Rich South went 3 and out and punted to JCA. Bourg was thrown for a 7 yard loss before McKeon ran 35 yards to the Rich South 30. Clancy added an 18 yard run to the 12. McKeon followed that up with a 10 yard run to the 2. JCA had another motion penalty, before McKeon went in for a 2 yard TD.
Rich South was penalized during the drive for shouting JCA’s cadence which was causing the motion penalties. The extra point was good JCA 28-0 with 12 seconds left in the half.
The Second Half
Rich South received the kick in the second half but fumbled and JCA took over on the Stars 30 yard line. Clancy added a 2 yard touchdown and the extra point was good, 35-0.
Time for the defense to take over, Jeske sacked Rich South’s quarterback Michael Jackson (no, not THAT Michael Jackson) for a safety, 37-0 JCA.
On the ensuing free kick, Buchanan picked up a bouncing ball and raced down the right sideline for a 55 yard touchdown. 44-0 with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter.
With 8:08 left in the game Rich South drove the ball against the second string defensive players before Michael Jackson ran it in from 2 yards out with 6:06 left in the game. The 2 point conversion was stopped JCA lead 44-6.
Rich South squibbed another kick that Buchanan picked up, froze the defense, and simply took off like only he can. Down the left sideline untouched for a 75 yard TD run. JCA led 51-6 with 5:37 left in the game.
Catholic kicked to Rich South, but their first attempt to get out from the shadow of their goal line resulted in an intercepted pass by Shawn Burns who ran it back to the Stars 39 with 4:00 minutes left. Luke Mussleman drove JCA to the Stars 20 before the clock ran out.
The Hilltoppers finished off the Rich South Stars 51-6.
Coach Sharp commented after the game. “We did a few things tonight that we wanted to work on, Brad threw the ball well, and he scrambled well. It was good to see all of our backs involved in the offense, McKeon, Clancy, and Kleeman all did an excellent job. The defense played well, we gave up one long pass play to Yarbrough” (who was the winner of the ‘fastest man in pads’ competition this year).
“Our first defense played well except for one or two plays, but we have to play better, if we’re going to advance with a quality team coming to town next week, we have to do better. We need to improve in some areas, penalties is one, and we can’t give up the big play on defense. We’ll be in big trouble otherwise. Our red zone offense improved, and on special teams we never punted all night.”
We really put an emphasis on special teams this week, and I think Bobby Buchanan showed that tonight, he’s lightening, he’s dynamite in the open field. We need to do things to get him the ball in the open field, those two kick returns were sensational.”
Bourg looked terrific this week. “Bourg is almost all the way back, he took a couple nice hits and bounced right up. I’m so happy for him, he worked so hard in rehab, the trainers told me that he worked so hard . . . he deserves it. I’m excited for him, he can recapture his senior year. He went deep into the game tonight. The team really responds to him, he has so much leadership. It really nice having him and Billy both out there in the backfield.
Looking ahead to Morris
This week we’ll be going against one of the best special teams in the state. Dan Darlington is as fine a coach as you’re going to find any where at any level. They’re very well prepared, they have a great punt rush, kick and punt returns, he has his best athletes on the field. Field position could be a difference in next week’s game. Every game we play with them it seems to go down to the wire, so field position will be big. We’ll have a high emphasis on special teams this week, without a doubt.”
Can he compare this year’s Morris team with the one JCA defeated in the state championship two years ago? “It’s the same, I think he (Darlington) has a clone machine down there. They get good athletes that are hard nosed kids, and they’re well coached every year. It’s a amazing the longevity and success Dan (Darlington) has had in Morris over the years, communities change, but the one thing constant in Morris is they’ll be in the playoffs and have a solid football team. I knew that when I was in Minooka.”
“Morris always has good running backs, and has a quarterback (Goolsby) that can throw it like a dart, and a defense that come flying at you. But you know, this is why we play this game, I know the kids from Morris will be excited, our kids will be excited, that’s what makes it one great football game.”
“The game will be Friday night at Memorial stadium too, Coach Darlington spoke to Coach Douglas tonight and we’re set for Friday at 7 o’clock”
The starters stayed in longer tonight, was there a purpose in that? “I want to make sure they’re in game condition, especially the line. We didn’t have a running clock until the third quarter, so they stayed in a bit longer.”
We also saw Jake Trader in the backfield tonight along with fullback Kurt Kleeman in a couple short yardage situations.
So the stage is set, the Morris Redskins make the trip to Memorial stadium this Friday night at 7pm after JCA pounded Rich South tonight 51-6. Morris is 0-3 against JCA lifetime, all playoff games, and the last two have been close games. Anyone paying attention to this match up over the years knows these two teams have no love for each other. But as that may be the case, I think it’s safe to say there is mutual respect of each other because of their respective proud traditions.
The parking lot will be packed, the seating will be scarce, get there early and scream for your favorite team, this is what high school football is all about. Thank goodness the fans that want to see this match-up have the opportunity to see it a the stadium which seats 10,000 rather than in Morris. Although I’m sure any Redskin fan would rather this game be played at their place, rather than ours.
Next week should be a good one, but more importantly, the Hilltoppers roll on with a victory in round two, no injuries to report, and by next week previously injured players should be 100% and ready for Morris. As is always the case, Coach Sharp will have the Hillmen focused on the ultimate goal, another state championship. Morris is the next hurdle.
Let the countdown begin . . .
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