| RB no bark, and no bite, Catholic rolls |
 |
Mike Menozzi JolietCatholicFootball.com
If Coach Zeeman needed any fuel to enrage his hatred towards JCA any further, he got it tonight. Back in my college days I recall a fight where Steve Parker thumped this poor unsuspecting opponent without mercy. Before the challenger could get off a punch, he was flattened. Parker was a Golden Gloves winner, the challenger never had a chance. Much was the case tonight. RB is the program that runs that “interesting” offense, in the far corner . . . the Champion, the 500 pound Gorilla, the steamroller, the guy you don’t want to meet anywhere, anytime, . . . the Hillmen.
The vaunted Riverside-Brookfield 5-wide offense was stifled by the Hilltoppers to the extent that they were no more a match than Chicago Crane was last week.
Defensively, the Hilltoppers crushed any attempt at scoring by RB, which resulted in 3 and outs time and again. Incomplete passes only allowed more time for JCA to score and played right into the hands of the Hillmen, as they reeled off points at the same clip as last week. RB showed no defense what-so-ever, and had no solution to stopping the Hilltopper machine.
After an interception by Platt, JCA scored after a Benson run to the 1 yard line. McKeon with the first TD 7-0.
Benson again from the 40 to the 5 yard line, Clancy a 5 yard TD run 14-0 with 8:22 left.
Kiernan to Eastman for 29 yards and another TD 21-0 on three possessions.
McKeon with a 27 yard TD 28-0 with 2:29 left in the first quarter.
Kiernan hit Benson with a 5 yard pass who turned in a spectacular move on the right side of the field, after nearly being tackled, he spun around, caught himself in a three point stance from falling, sprinted across the field to the left and went in untouched on the left side for another score 35-0 with 1:05 in the first quarter.
RB started going for any 4th down possessions regardless of where they were – it made little difference really.
Clancy ran from the 40 to the 5 yard line, and Benson took it in for another score 42-0 8:12 in the half.
Kiernan to McKeon from the 43 to the 2 yard line, and Billy took it in for another TD. 49-0 with 4:56 left in the half.
Clancy ripped off another big run from the 45 to the 10, Benson TD from 10 yards out, 2:30 left in the half 56-0 before the half. Would RB give up 63 points like Crane did last week?
With only 30 second left RB was faced with a 4th and 8, JCA took over with 13 seconds left at the 43 and Billy McKeon ran it from the 43 to the 3 with 4 seconds left in the half. Since the clock stops with a first down, JCA had plenty of time to attempt one, maybe two more pass plays to score again.
I’ll tell you folks, it takes a bigger man that I to do what Coach Sharp did tonight. Faced with a 1st and goal at the 3 with 4 second left I would have gone full speed ahead and scored again if possible. Coach Sharp, with the offense set and ready to pound in another TD, knew that RB was no match and had no chance to catch JCA. He let the clock run out in the ultimate act of pity, as the Hillmen walked off the field at the half rather than score again..
Catholic finished the game 69-6. For Coach Otto Zeeman, it may be the last time that the Bulldogs and the Hillmen meet if he has his way and the IHSA implements the “Otto-plyer” so named for Otto who is largely behind the private school multiplier.
If it is the last time they meet - Coach Zeeman has a memorable game to reflect on. A 69-6 drubbing that was as humiliating as a coach can experience. The offense that he implemented and announced that was in place to stop the Hillmen, never did in three attempts.
Rather than face your most formidable opponent and attempt to defeat him, Coach Zeeman would rather JCA was “removed” from his class so they have a better chance of winning. That’s fine – if there were ever a reason in attach an asterisk to a win, it will be the case if RB ever wins a state title.
Regardless of where JCA goes, it’s tradition, hard work, and continued success is a given. Coach Zeeman and his RB Bulldogs? Well, someday they may win a title, but it’ll never be against the best 5A has to offer, and as long as that’s the case, just exactly what will they win?
Congratulations Hillmen – you’ve proven once again, that there is no one better . . . anywhere.
|
eMail
JolietCatholicFootball
"Any man's finest hour - his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear - is
that moment he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted
on the field of battle . . . victorious."
Vince Lombardi
Our Lady of Victory . . .
Pray for Us!
Contents of this site may not be used without prior written permission.
|
|
|
