Penalties plague St. Eds in 21-7 loss to Sorin
By COLIN BOYLAN, TODD NIETO and JOHNNY LEITNER
Sports Writers
St. EdwardsÕ football team could have the makings of a potent run-and-shoot offense, if only it could stop shooting itself in the foot.
A penalty-plagued 21-7 loss to Sorin left many of the St. EdÕs players with a bad taste in their mouths as flags became the hallmark of an otherwise relatively nondescript game.
Sorin opened the scoring on a deep pass play from quarterback Pete Beleden to receiver Antione Tobias. The Otters dominated with a solid running game, capped by two touchdowns from running back Dave Knesek. In the end, it was St. EdsÕ mistakes that tipped the game in SorinÕs favor.
ÒWe just killed ourselves with penalties,Ó said quarterback Tim Greene. ÒIt seemed like every time we had the ball we were facing a 2nd and 18.Ó
Not only did penalties give the Stedsmen unfavorable field position, but they also wiped out several key passing plays. A 50 yard pass completion from Greene to receiver Nick Sciola was called back because a lineman moved too far downfield. Several other completions were also negated by St. EdsÕ infractions.
Sorin simply played their strengths and let their opponent self-destruct.
ÒWe were a little disorganized on offense, but I think our defense played excellent,Ó said Knesek.
Sorin coach Fred Faber was very happy with the teamÕs performance, considering the long layoff they experienced.
ÒWith an extra week to prepare, I think our team got a little lazy. We just wanted to get the first game out of the way and go from there.Ó
While Sorin looks well on its way to defending its Gold League Championship, St. EdÕs is left to ask themselves how they can earn their first victory in recent memory. Utilizing the defensive abilities of cornerback Chris Kitalong could be a start. Early in the second half, Kitalong returned a Belden interception for a touchdown to cut St. EdÕs deficit to 14-7. But the team could never capitalize on that momentum.
Knott 20, Carroll 14
With defensive dominance, the Juggs of Knott defeated the Vermin of Carroll on Sunday.
The Juggs did not waste time scoring. In the first five minutes of the game, Brian Pawloski scored a touchdown putting Knott up 7-0.
Throughout the game, KnottÕs fierce defensive line helped hold the Vermin. The Knott defense covered the whole field allowing only one first down the whole game.
ÒA few mistakes on behalf of the offense lead to CarrollÕs points,Ó said Knott co-captain Brian Pawloski.
Carroll zeroed in and took advantage of the Jugg mistakes. Two consecutive interceptions by Fred Kottemann and Jim Butz were returned for touchdowns and gave Carrol a 14-7 by the end of the first half.
After the half Knott started kicking in. KnottÕs captain Pat Virtue had two touchdowns rushing, running the ball really hard. Giving the Juggs a 20-14 lead over the Vermin. Pawloski was very pleased with the offense.
ÒThey did a lot better this game,Ó he said. ÒI know we have the talent,Ó captain Geoff Polk said. ÒIt was just a matter of putting it into play.Ó
Fisher 22, Zahm 14
The defenses of Zahm and Fisher Hall surrendered a combined total of five points in the first week of interhall football play. Consequently, both teams anticipated a grueling, low-scoring affair in their match-up on Sunday.
If the fortunes of interhall fate confirm one thing, however, it is to expect the unexpected. In a game defined by explosive passing, the Fisher Wave prevailed, 22-14.
Zahm took over on downs after a goal-line stand by the defense and quickly went to work. Quarterback Dan Burke found Chris Bystedt for a 45-yard gain. Forced into a fourth and goal situation from the five, Burke again looked to pass and connected with Joe Saenz for a touchdown. Brian ZantÕs extra point made the score 7-0 in favor of the Rabid Bats. After holding Fisher, Zahm regained control of the ball and Burke and Bystedt combined for another touchdown drive. This put the bats up 14-10.
The Wave, however, were hardly prepared to throw in the towel. After a personal foul penalty positioned Fisher inside Zahm territory, Levkulich found Steve Doherty for a 40- yard touchdown, followed by a two point conversion.
Zahm HallÕs solid play in the first half was overshadowed by miscues and the opportunism of Fisher in the second set.
The final 60 minutes were a Òdownward spiralÓ for the Bats, said Zahm captain Brian Zant.
After forcing Fisher to punt, Zahm took over and Burke went out passing. In a play that Fisher captains called the gamesÕ defining moment, Ray Aftandilians intercepted BurkeÕs first pass and returned it to the Zahm 15. Fisher took full advantage of their field position, putting together a four-play sequence which culminated in a touchdown by running back Richie Rendina.
After regaining possession, Zahm sought to reestablish their lead. After gaining a first down, Burke heaved a 55-yard completion to the endzone. The score was called back and a series of costly penalties were called against Zahm. When the dust settled, Zahm was pinned at its own 1 ft. line, confronted with second and 56 yards to go.
After a short punt, Fisher took over with solid field position. A 15-yard touchdown pass from Levkulich to Doherty gave Fisher their first lead, which with a two point conversion amounted to 22-14.
Zahm nearly scored with seconds remaining, but the clock ran out and Fisher held on to the win a game they said was critical.
ÒWe were desperate,Ó said captain Dahx Marrs. ÒThe seasons are short, so every game really matters.Ó
The Wave had planned to focus on hard-nosed, aggressive defense; ultimately, they delivered despite ZahmÕs early success.
ÒWe need to step up our pass defense,Ó said Marrs, Òbut this game shows that we can come from behind and our offense can score.Ó
Marrs believes that his team was able to stay focused and perform consistently, traits that the Wave hopes to maintain in the crucial games ahead.
ÒWe were able to execute on offense,Ó said Dean Korolis, Òand weÕre looking forward to Sorin next week.Ó
Zahm, on the other hand, suffered more than one loss on Sunday. In addition to seeing their lead evaporate, the Rabid Bats lost cornerback Pat Mitchell, who broke his ankle, for the season. Pete Henning, an offensive lineman, also injured his ankle, but Zant described his status as Òday to day.Ó
Despite their disappoint, the Bats intend to make some adjusts and repair the breach created by Fisher.
ÒAfter the St. EdÕs game, we there was a perception that we could Ôwalk on waterÕ Ñ which was obviously incorrect,Ó commented Zant. ÒBut we will learn from our mistakes and be ready for the rest of the season.Ó
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, September 26, 2000
