BP keeps playoff hopes alive with 18-0 victory
By ANTHONY BISHOP, KATIE HUGHES and BRIAN SHARP
Sports Writers
In a game that could propel one team into the playoffs and destroy all hopes for a postseason for the other, Breen-Phillips defeated Farley, 18-0.
Top play by both teams lit up the field in a defensive battle that was broken loose by a few big plays. Unfortunately for the fans of Farley, the big plays seemed to only bounce into the hands of the BP offense.
The first half was defined by strong play from the lines of both teams.
The BP offense was led by the strong arm and swift feet of quarterback Katie McFarland. After a Farley fourth down blitz, McFarland was forced to scramble and weave her way downfield nearly 40 yards before she was caught from behind inside the 20-yard line.
That was as far as the offense ever got as the Farley defense regrouped and stopped the BP drive on the 7-yard line.
BP didn't seem phased by the defensive stand as they came up big themselves with great pressure from their defensive line, forcing Farley to punt. The defenses came up with play after play for several drives until the end of the half.
Led by two long runs from McFarland, BP was able to punch in a last minute touchdown before half time. McFarland connected with Kelly Deckelman for a short pass into the back of the end zone that just went past the outreached hands of the Farley defensive backs.
The point after try was batted down, leaving BP with a 6-0 lead going into halftime.
The second half only went down hill for the Farley squad as the BP defense dominated the game. It looked at first like Farley would make an early comeback with quick passes from quarterback Jenny Geraci to several receivers.
At about midfield, however, the defensive backs from BP seemed to awaken and batted down a couple balls until a final interception by Gina Montenaro.
On the ensuing play, a quarterback switch between Deckelman and McFarland set up a 25-yard pass play to McFarland that brought BP within striking distance yet again. Two plays later, a Farley blitz forced McFarland out of the pocket and looking for a target.
With a desperation throw into the end zone, three people touched the ball but only BP wide receiver Tricia McFarland gained possession. Another failed PAT attempt gave BP a 12-0 lead.
Breen-Phillips never looked back after this point. The defense consistently shut down the explosive Farley offense including great plays from lineman Natasha Potter and defensive back Donna Conlon.
Another interception for BP by Keppel gave the ball back to the offense for one more late attack. After a few strong run plays and a couple short passes, McFarland finally connected with Montenaro for the third touchdown making it 18-0 with less than two minutes to go. The refs then called the game a victory for BP in accordance to the "mercy rule."
The loss dropped Farley's record to 1-3, which still leaves hope for the postseason
The Farley squad played particularly well but were unable to come up with a few breaks. Captain Becca Glatz is hoping the team plays hard the rest of the season and will be looking for some losses by teams ahead of them in the rankings. Farley's next game is on Sunday against Off-Campus.
This victory gave Breen-Phillips their first win of the year, advancing its record to 1-1-1 and keeping playoff hopes alive.
The BP coaches attributed the victory to the hard work and leadership of the upperclassmen as well as their ability to create big plays on offense and defense.
BP returns to action on Sunday against McGlinn.
McGlinn 6, Walsh 6
There are no crazy Nebraska game-like overtime rules in women's interhall football, but the McGlinn girls didn't seem to mind.
They huddled in excitement after their 6-6 tie against Walsh on Tuesday night, ecstatic to have kept it so close the whole game.
Mary Lenzini scored a touchdown very early in the first half for the Shamrocks, setting the mood for an intense game.
"I was thinking, I really hope I catch the ball," Lenzini said. "Then I was thinking, holy s—, I caught the ball."
McGlinn's key plays came from Sarah Vatterott's four completions and a great running game by quarterback Jody Greaney.
"I was sick of losing. I don't take losing well," Greaney said. "We weren't sure what to expect from McGlinn. All we knew was that their record wasn't that strong."
Said Walsh captain Melissa Beiting: "We had two 10-yard penalties and that made us a little sensitive. We had to get out there and refocus."
Tight end Jennifer Lynch was Walsh's wildest women on Tuesday, scoring a mid-second half touchdown to tie the game.
McGlinn hopes to build on the momentum generated by the game.
"We're not losing again this season," Lenzini said.
Badin 0, Off-Campus 0
A hard-fought game on Tuesday night at Stepan between Badin and Off-Campus resulted in a scoreless tie.
In what is becoming the theme of both teams' seasons, the defenses kept both teams in the game. The 0-0 tie was the second scoreless game that both teams have been involved with, each starting the season with one: Badin against PW and Off Campus against Walsh.
The tie pushed Off-Campus's record to 1-0-2 and Badin's record to 0-1-3.
Off-Campus's physical defense has held their opponents to a total of six points in three games, the lone touchdown scored by Breen-Phillips.
"We were expecting to do better than we had in the previous game," Off Campus co-captain Katie Leicht said. "This was not a good showing from the offense. We didn't capitalize on the opportunities that we had."
Badin moved the ball up and down the field all day, repeatedly getting first downs. Even though Off-Campus's defense bent, it refused to break. Defensive backs Erin Place and Anna Benjamin both had acrobatic goal-line interceptions to save touchdowns.
After two ties and a loss, Badin desperately needs to win their next two games to return to the playoffs for the second straight year.
"We are tired of ties and losses," Badin free safety Beth Rimkus. "We want wins."
After a bye week, Badin looks to rebound against Farley before closing out their season against McGlinn.
Off-Campus is also looking to finish the season strong in order to also qualify for the playoffs.
"We need to get more out of practice," Leicht said. "Our toughest games are coming up. We have to get our act together."
All Sports Stories for Thursday, September 28, 2000
