Dillon demolishes Stanford, clinches berth
By MATT DeNICOLA, JOE LINDSLEY and BRYAN KRONK
Sports Writers
Throughout the season, every team has poured weeks of preparation into their respective football teams. However, it took the Dillon Big Red (3-0) just slightly over an hour to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
Sunday afternoon, the Dillon running game pounded down the field with force and consistency and its defense stood solid in a 35-0 victory against Stanford (0-3).
"They are far and away the best team in the league," said Stanford captain Dave Dilworth. "You don't like to lose by that much, but they [Dillon] played real well."
Safety Adam Oyster and cornerback Kevin Barry kept the Dillon passing game slightly under control. However, the Griffins could not contain the rushing game.
Stanford's offense had troubles as well.
"They shut us down on offense," said Dilworth. "We fumbled the ball a couple times and never really got anything going."
Despite the score, the Griffins were not lackadaisical. Missing several starting positions, Stanford played tough. Two players were sent to the infirmary, one with a concussion and the other with a broken wrist.
Dillon shattered more than a few bones. The Big Red topped this season's single game scoring mark at 35, and increased its league leading points scored to 70 — more than twice any other team.
The Big Red are also ranked first in touchdowns allowed at one. The have scored 10 touchdowns on offense for a touchdowns scored-allowed ratio that is five times better than any other team in the league.
However, Dillon captain Tayt Odom refuses to allow success to go to his players' heads. "We don't want what happened last year to happen again [not winning the championship]," said Odom. "We want to keep getting better every week."
The Big Red have been doing just that, increasing its margin of victory each week.
The Dillon defense posted its second shutout of the year. Interceptions by J.P. Camato and Brian Fontana combined with two recovered fumbles kept the Griffins away from the end zone all day.
Dillon, on the other hand, virtually lived in the end zone. Performances by tight end Rick Hasty and split end Brian Meyer helped contribute to this.
"The offense worked pretty well," said Odom.
The Griffins would say that is an understatement.
"I don't see who could beat them," said Dilworth, who plans to have his team ready to win next Sunday. "We are going to work on passing a little more."
If the Griffins win, there is the possibility of earning a spot in the playoffs from the tiebreaker.
Dillon does not need to worry about that, but they will not prepare any less for this week's game.
"We don't want to take anything lightly," said Odom. "We plan on being even better next week."
Keenan 13, Keough 7
Heading into the match-up, both Keenan and Keough needed a win to help any glimmers of hope for postseason play. In a strange game which featured strong defensive play, the Knights defeated the `Roos.
"We definitely wanted to use this as a litmus test to see how we compare with the big names in interhall football," Keough captain Andy Hess said. "I think we proved to ourselves that we can play with anyone."
The first half showcased the talented defenses of both Keenan and Keough, and the teams headed into halftime tied at 0-0.
Keough broke the offensive struggle early in the first half, as Hess threw a long touchdown pass to receiver John Trischner. The extra point put the `Roos ahead 7-0.
On the next drive, Keenan ground down the Keough defense on a long drive and scored. The Knights then attempted a two-point conversion, but failed, leaving the Knights behind 7-6.
"[That drive] was good for us because it was our first sustained drive all year," said Keenan captain Brent Morlok.
On the next drive, the Keenan defense responded, preventing the `Roos from getting a first down, and forcing Keough to give the ball back to the Knights.
Once again, Keenan marched down the field, and stood within field goal range with just 50 seconds left.
Then the confusion ensued.
As Keenan attempted the game-winning kick, a bad snap forced holder and quarterback Patrick Downey to lose the ball. However, Downey regained possession of the ball and quickly fired to receiver Kevin Fallon to give the Knights the late edge over the Kangaroos.
Overall, Hess was satisfied with Keough's losing performance.
"Everyone played really well," Hess said, "except we hadn't run a field goal defense before. We weren't really ready for what happened. [But] in interhall football, crazy stuff can happen."
Morlok expressed excitement over the postseason prospects for his team.
"There were four teams in our division that were 1-1 heading into this game, so pretty much this game and next week's game are must-wins to get into the playoffs." Morlok said. "It was definitely a big game for us."
Alumni 17, Morrissey 0
When Alumni (2-1) met Morrissey (1-2), both teams had an identical record and both had identical hopes for the playoffs.
But after the Dawgs' victory against the Manorites on Sunday, it gave Alumni a much clearer view of the post-season.
While the Manorites have not been eliminated from the playoffs, they must beat undefeated Dillon to even have a chance. In other words, the loss on Sunday was crucial. "Actually, Alumni didn't beat us," said Morrissey captain Andy Baum. "We beat ourselves."
Both sides of Morrissey's game faltered at times, but the defense managed to keep the game somewhat close.
"Our defense as a whole was good," said Baum. "But our offense couldn't do anything.".
As a team, the Manorites looked lackadaisical. Their drives were uninspired, and they just could not convert key plays.
"There was no focus," said Baum. "We weren't fired up."
The Dawgs take credit for extinguishing this fire. Alumni was able to score off broken coverage, and never looked back.
"We had a really strong attack in the middle of the field with our tight ends," said Alumni captain Nick Linstroth.
Tight ends Nick Althoff and Drew DeWalt controlled the ball very well and were the primary part of the Alumni offense.
The Alumni defense was also on top of the ball. Corey Harkins pulled down two interceptions and freshman defensive end Higgins was part of several third down stops. "The defense was solid all day," said Linstroth.
Morrissey experienced this first hand.
"Our offense couldn't do anything," said Baum.
"We are definitely going to work on motivation and attitude," said Baum. "We have to win to get into the playoffs." The Manorites are going to have to pull off a big upset for this to happen. "It all comes down to what team shows up," said Baum. "We have the talent to beat anyone."
Alumni still has to win this week to clinch a playoff berth.
"We want to be more organized and work on the bread and butter plays," said Linstroth. "This final week will be a good indication of where everyone stands going into the playoffs."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, October 9, 2001
