| Catholic downs Marist 42-7 |
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Mike Menozzi JolietCatholicFootball.com
Joliet Catholic ran over Marist tonight, but it took awhile. With 5 minutes left in the 1st half it was still 7-0 Catholic.
This isn't the fast strike offense we saw last year, but they aren't exactly slow either.
The Hilltoppers scored 21 points in the last 5 minutes of the first half and the game was over.
Reuttiger threw an interception on the first drive that was tipped into the hands of a Marist defender. No matter, Gruben intercepted Marist on the next drive and the Hill was back in business.
Hudetz had an 11 yard TD run ad the Hill was up 7-0.
Clancy forced a fumble on the next Marist drive on the 45 and JCA drove to the 25 but turned the ball over on downs.
With 5:03 left in the first half Geiss burst around the right side and ran in a 20 yard TD run and it was 14-0
With 2:29 Marist punted back to JCA, Ruettiger found Hudetz down the middle for 57 yards for a TD - but it was called back for motion penalty.
The same play worked again, but not for a TD this time.
Geiss ran it to the 7 yard line, and Hudetz ran it in for a TD, 21-0 Catholic.
Kleeman sacked the Marist QB on 3rd down forcing another punt situation, Fleener had a 7 yard catch for another TD and it was 28-0 Catholic.
Marist mustered a score against the backup defensemen, but it was all Catholic 42-7 was the final.
That score included a 67 yard bomb to Fleemer (on 1st down), and it was all Catholic.
The Hillmen are young, they will be better than they are now, it's a matter of when. Will it be the end of this year or the beginning of next? The answer to that has playoff implications.
This was the first time I saw the Hilltoppers live in 2006 - if I had to identify one thing that separates this team from last years team it's the swagger.
This team doesn't have it - yet.
They shouldn't either, there is nothing to swagger about when you enter the game 1-2, but it's not completely about the record. It's about self confidence, and this team is still working on it.
If you look up the definition of potential in the dictionary, it would have a picture of this team. Man, do they have potential. Will it come to fruition this year in time to make a run in the playoffs? No one knows yet, check back with us in three to four weeks, we may know more then.
The fact that the entire offense - with e exception of a player or two will be back next year - it's easy to say "Next year". but this team is plenty good enough to win right now if and only if, they can continue to mature each week before the playoffs.
I caught up with Coach Sharp after the game:
"The defense tonight was really good, we dominated the line of scrimmage. The defense kept us in the game in the first quarter and he offense had a great end of the half. They put everyone in the box and we opened up the passing game, Johnny (Ruettiger) had so much adrenaline tonight, his uncle Dan (Rudy) was there tonight and he rushed his first couple passes."
"We're starting to come together, like the movie Major League I feel like "we're starting to come together"."
"Barrett Mayes is working at DE, and Dan Ochs is a great pass rusher. We have a really good rotation on the line. We're starting to get a feel for who we want to play against in what situation."
"We don't have 11 defensive starters any more, we have 18, depending on the package, anyone can be in there."
(Great play in general from another junior Mike Budzinski at the corner tonight - a good hitter that we need back there, and great coverage as well.)
"We're doing a good job of understanding our personnel and utilizing it in situations."
One thing is certain, if this team continues to mature, they will be a team that no one will want to open the playoffs against regardless of our record.
How far they go . . . is up to the players.
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