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Mike Menozzi JolietCatholicFootball.com
Crane Chicago Cougars arrived late for tonight’s game. Once they arrived, it didn’t get any better for them. For the first time in 11 years the Cougars were in the playoffs, only due to the expanded IHSA classes put in place a few years ago.
In what could be the longest and most lopsided high school game I’ve ever seen, Joliet Catholic scored early and often on the Cougars, and left no doubt of the final outcome. At times Hilltoppers were running thru holes large enough to drive a car through, and that’s no exaggeration. The entire second half of the game was played by non-starters on the JCA side. The final quarter saw the sophomores that were just called up, get playing time with junior Luke Mussleman at QB as the all-sophomore backfield.
As Coach Sharp walked by me at the half he said, “Looks like we may see everyone after all.” Making reference to him telling me earlier in the week that those called up likely wouldn’t play. “I think we got everyone in the game,” coach Sharp told me afterward, “that’s saying something considering we dressed 80 kids.”
After a three and out by Crane, Catholic got to the punter, blocked the kick and took over at Crane’s 18. Kiernan hit Eastman for an 18 yard TD on the first play from scrimmage.
On the second Hillmen offensive series, JCA took over at the Crane 25 after another punt, and Clancy ran it in from 25 yards out. Two plays, two touchdowns, 14-0
Without keeping accurate stats, I’m pretty sure Crane netted zero yards in the first half as the Hilltopper defense smothered everything that the Cougars attempted.
Offensively, the Hillmen were far from finished. Another 28 yard TD pass from Kiernan to McKeon made it 21-0.
Joe Benson ran in a 33 yard TD to make it 28-0.
After a Pete Barney interception to the 7, McKeon runs in for another TD making it 35-0.
Incredibly, the Hillmen ran six offensive plays and scored five touchdowns. I didn’t type that wrong, Six plays, five touchdowns.
Jeske recovered a fumble, Clancy for 10 yards, Benson for 5, and Clancy finished it off with a 5 yard TD. The score was now 42-0. Note that the plays run to touchdowns ratio was headed south, the Hillmen now had run 9 plays and only scored six touchdowns.
Meztger and Jeske threw the Cougar running backs for back to back losses.
Dan Hrvatin had a nice 19 yard run nullified by a holding call. Benson had a 15 yard run, and Clancy had a 9 yard run putting the ball at the 6.
That concluded the end of the first quarter, yes that’s correct, the end of the first quarter, 42-0 JCA
Kiernan on a bootleg scored another TD with 10:56 left in the half, 49-0.
With 10:41 in the second quarter, most of the defense was now non-starters.
Hrvatin ran for 25, McKeon for 6, Benson for 6, Hrvatin finished of the run with a TD, 56-0 with 6:35 to go in the half.
Sophomores Ryan Piechocinski, Mike Kohl, Ryan Searls, as well as juniors Thomas Zurliene, Doug Roolf, and Andy Krantz all got playing time in the offensive backfield from 5:00 left in the first half to the end of the game.
Doug Roolf had a 17 yard TD 63-0, and it was halftime.
Due to the score, there was a running clock the entire second half.
Tom Zurliene had a 46 yard TD, and Ryan Searls finished the scoring with a 20 yard TD run, the extra point was blocked. 76-0.
The only possession JCA didn’t score on was turning the ball over on downs at the Crane 16 on the final play of the third quarter.
Catholic drove to the 5 yard line, with a 1st and 5 from the 5 with 3 minutes left where they took a knee several times and two purposeful delay of game penalties, finished the game.
Before anyone even considers JCA was running up the score on Crane, keep in mind the starters were out after the 1st quarter. The Hillmen didn’t attempt a pass from the end of the first quarter on. The entire roster played in tonight’s game. The game plan couldn’t have been more basic.
Coach Sharp after the game, “We came out of tonight’s game healthy, and we cleaned up our penalties. Crane lost their tailback last week and that took a lot out of them. I feel for them, you like everyone to be in the playoffs, but it’s not right. They played hard all the time, they have good kids and good coaching.”
Despite the lopsided score, there was great sportsmanship throughout the game on both sides.
“Some 5-4 teams can compete – look at the Lockport loss tonight, but obviously many cannot.”
“The young kids played very well, and have a lot to look back on, it’ll help drive them when they’re lifting weights this off-season”
“We’ll have to be sharp next week, Riverside Brookfield will be here, I think it’ll be Friday night.”
Coach Sharp talked to his players after the game, “The ‘Zoo’ is coming to Joliet!” followed by a roar from the team in anticipation of playing Otto Zeeman and his Bulldogs.
RB defeating Rich East 22-12, forces a game at the stadium next weekend. Coach Zeeman’s dislike of private schools and Joliet Catholic in particular is pretty well known, it should be a nice welcome the Hillmen provide for them next week.
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