| Catholic flies past Carmel 56-21 |
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Mike Menozzi JolietCatholicFootball.com
Homecoming for Carmel wasn’t so happy, although they rode their emotional high as long as they could before the tables turned on them.
“We got too cute, that’s not our style”, said Coach Sharp. We were doing some different formations and packages, that’s just not us. We went back to hard nosed football and established some continuity.”
Carmel drove to the JCA 18 with 9 seconds left on the clock in the first half and the score tied 21-21. “With their great kicker, I knew they could get at least a field goal.”
Carmel opted for one more shot in the end-zone before going for the FG, instead it was QB Brennan that took a shot from DL Nick Metzger.
Metzger flattened Brennan mid-throw and the ball fluttered well short of it’s target. JCA sophomore linebacker Clancy had it drop into his hands and the former running back knew exactly what to do with it. Sprint 70+ yards for a go ahead TD and Catholic never looked back.
(Note that I think that it was Rouse that crushed Brennan, but after the game, Metzger was identified at the missile that did the damage. Whoever it was, it quite possibly turned the tide of the game)
“The play was huge for us, it took points from them and gave us the score, and the ball on the second half kickoff” said Coach Sharp.
While Billy McKeon QB’d the first half, sophomore John Ruettiger took over in the second half and matched the first half points, running the offense flawlessly.
Ruettiger didn’t attempt a pass, but at the pace the Hilltopper running backs were ripping huge holes through the Carmel defense, he didn’t need to.
Benson and McKeon scored three times each, Hrvatin, and Clancy once. The final 56-21.
Considering Carmel was the number 1 ranked team in 7A two weeks ago, this game was close only after a Carmel fumble recovery and an end around got the Corsairs back in the game before the half, prior to Clancy’s heroics.
The final score was heavily influenced by the referees, giving Carmel one score after a questionable fumble call, then back to back face-masks calls gave Carmel the ball on the JCA 5 yard line. The refs also called back score by JCA, nullifying a McKeon TD run with a holding call on a pancake block.
The game could have easily been 62-14.
It didn’t matter, the Hilltoppers were on a mission, and Carmel wasn’t going to stop them.
“We simplified things greatly in the second half, we knew we could run on them, so we went back to what we do best.”
“The senior leadership on this team, Benson and McKeon are just terrific. They never panicked, never hung their heads, they’re great examples for our underclassmen to follow on this team.”
“Carmel runs the belly option as well as anyone in the country, our guys did a great job with the exception of the first long run that set up Carmel first score.”
With Piechocinski and Barrett back JCA ran a lot of double tight end formations, with Barrett and Sheppard, and at times, with Terdic in the backfield – the “Jumbo” package.
More importantly the team is nearly 100% healthy. Just in time for a show-down with the Lions next Friday night at the stadium.
While Carmel drops it’s second straight, Catholic will face off with undefeated St. Viator next week at home with the conference championship on the line.
Plusses for the Hillmen were many. Defensive missed assignments were few, the line and linebackers kept constant pressure on Brennan all night. The running game was nearly unstoppable against a very tough opponent. John Ruettiger played a great second half of football doing exactly what he needed to do to win.
I would be mistaken if I didn’t mention the heart Carmel’s QB Brennan showed tonight. He took some unbelievable shots and at times looked like he may not get up, but he always returned, and gave his best. A tip of the hat to Brennan for his inspired play tonight.
I’d like to thank the Carmel fans and officials at the game that were great sports, and very helpful. Proving once again, the one or two fans that were boastful on the message board, are not at all indicative of the Corsair followers.
They say revenge is sweet, but it’s not just about this game, the Hilltoppers have their sites set on much bigger things. But leaving with a crushing win over a front runner in 7A is sure more fun than the loss two years ago leaving Carmel.
The ESCC has had recent state champions with Carmel and JCA, but tonight’s game reinforces the fact that, any team with championship hopes, still goes through Joliet Catholic.
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