| They say everything starts with the defense . . . |
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Mike Menozzi JolietCatholicFootball.com
I missed last weeks game but felt at home in the football crazy southeast, Savannah Georgia. Surrounded by Clemson, Georgia, and South Carolina fans I felt right at home. Even thought I got phone call updates on the Marian game, I missed the Brown and White.
What a difference a week makes.
It was notable how smoothly the defense was operating tonight. Much more efficiently than at any time this season.
Against a big physical team, the defense simply had every answer for anything ND attempted.
Looking at the ND score of 41-0 you may assume that the offense ran wild and controlled most of the game, and you'd be right, well, half right. The defense actually set the tempo for the game. The offense could have made the score much worse, but were held back.
How good was the defense?
Well, there's the shut out for starters.
And then, JCA's defense didn't allow ND a first down until 7 minutes were left in the 3rd quarter. JCA's defense allowed a total of 4 first downs the entire game, three coming after JCA was substituting freely.
ND never drove past the 50 yard line until the fourth quarter when said substitutes were rotating on nearly every play.
Oh, and I think they had about 30 yards rushing (15 coming on one play), in about 30 attempts. Pretty much the seasons average yards given up.
ND made a few attempts at passing which were met with similar results. When ND's quarterback wasn't running for his life, the defensive line was all over him like a cheap suit.
Metzger and Kurator nearly had a sack before he released the ball into the arms of Pete Barney, who rambled to the ND 13 and set up another score.
In the next series, Metzger was at it again, forcing a fumble that Adam Kurator scooped up and ran into the endzone for a TD.
Was the offense not on their game? Far from it.
Billy McKeon started at QB and directed the first and second scores. It was 14-0 with 2:30 left in the first quarter. With 2:20 left Kurator added the third score, then it was time for John Ruettiger to take over.
Facing a 3rd and 11, Ruettiger hit Hrvatin on a 42 yard TD to make it 27 -0.
This particular play showcased the talent Ruettiger has. Two step drop, releasing the ball well before Hrvatin had every made his cut. The ball was lofted perfectly over the head of the defender, over Hrvatins right shoulder, and into his arms in stride. A 15 yard run into the end zone completed the play.
The speed of Hrvatin, McKeon and Benson, make them the perfect compliment to Ruettiger's touch passing - allowing them to run under the ball, and away from the defenders at will.
In the next series, Hrvatin had a 42 yard TD run called back for holding. In that same drive Ruettiger converted a 3rd and 9. Before Benson went in form 5 yards out to make it 34-0 with 3:37 left in the half.
Catholic got the ball back before the half and let the clock run out rather than attempt to run up the score.
Opening the second half - with 9:39 - Benson bolted around the right end and it looked like he would out run the angle of the defense, about the 25 he cut it back across the field and went in for the score from 48 yards out. Making the score 41-0.
At this point JCA began substituting freely, with Peterson and Smego getting playing time at QB.
The "surprise" Coach Sharp was referring to before the game was 5'11" 210 OL Chris Turdic playing the upback in a power I formation.
Chris was nothing short of spectacular, sealing the end on several plays allowing the back to take the corner and head up field.
"We'll be very strong when Barrett & Piechocinski returns." said Coach Sharp.
This might be the understatement of the year.
With Sheppard on one side and Barrett on the other, and Terdic in the backfield, JCA will have it's own "Jumbo Package" defenses will have to contend with.
"It's not just Terdic's size, it's his quick feet, he plays the position very well, he doesn't just get in the way."
"They tried to run the edges on us and Clancy and Searls did a great job on the outside, they couldn't run outside on us at all."
Most important to remember, this is a very good team, a nationally ranked team, that starts four sophomores. Really amazing. Usually when a team starts that many underclassmen, it's a rebuilding year. Not for this program.
The defense is playing well, the offense is starting to hit on all cylinders. The two QB rotation is working very well. They're on the verge of being the team everyone thought they would be. A good thing too, Carmel, Viator and St. Pat's await after a scrum with St. Joe's next week at home.
Two other things I need to mention. Congratulations to the kids that have been SO LOUD at each of the last two home games. It's great to see a big turn out and a vocal crowd. Now if we can just get them to be a little louder each week guys, . . . I know you can do it.
Also -
I'm convinced that no one eats better before a game than the group in the south west corner of the stadium before Hillmen games. Tailgating before Hillmen games is nothing new. The camaraderie is great, and the food ain't bad either.
Need proof?
How about 7 pounds of marinated beef tenderloin, and 5 pounds of grilled salmon, smokey links, fresh guacamole, and salsa, grilled stuffed jalapino peppers, and an assortment of chips and snack items.
Excellent work on the grill tonight Tom, Tom, Jim, and everyone else that had a hand in the good eats tonight.
Hillmen football.
The friends, . . . the games, . . . the atmosphere . . . can't be beat.
See you next week for Homecoming.
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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 . . .
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