Dawgs streamline Otters in 21-8 victory
By ERIK POWERS and JUSTIN SCHUVER
Sports Writers
The Dawgs dominated early on Sunday, then rolled over and played dead for most of the second half before finally pulling away from the Otters 21-8.
Playing in front of a sparse but spirited crowd, Sorin opened the game with a solid defensive stand. Alumni, seeking to establish the run, carried on four of its five snaps with little success. But the Otters were unable to stop the Dawgs when they needed to most as Alumni converted two third downs en route to a 65-yard scoring drive. A seven-yard run by Alex Roodhouse and two-point conversion off of a fake kick staked the Dawgs to an early 8-0 lead.
"It's always good to get into the end zone," said Roodhouse, who finished with 14 carries for 44 yards.
Alumni's multidimensional offense frequently invaded Sorin territory. Quarterback Chris Cottingham led a balanced attack, completing seven of 15 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown while rushing twice for 23 yards and another touchdown. The Dawgs employed play-action fakes, pitches and dives in order to keep the Otters off balance.
Sorin appeared out of sync on offense in the first half. Quarterback Greg Carney had difficulty locating his receivers versus a stiff Dawgs defense, completing only two of six passes in the first half and throwing an interception. Carney's second completion occurred in the most unorthodox of ways, throwing under pressure to offensive lineman Mike Draz, who displayed surprising agility while hurdling one defender before being stopped for no gain.
The Otters would not give up. Sorin controlled the ball for much of the second half, taking advantage of an Alumni team that appeared intent on coasting to victory. Taking over deep in Alumni territory after Pat Flaherty forced a fumble, Carney completed a 15-yard pass to E.J. Jones. On the next play, Carney snuck in from four inches away for the Otters' only touchdown.
Stirred by Sorin's score, the Alumni offense awoke in order to drive to a first down at the Otter seven-yard line. But Sorin's defense held fast, causing Alumni to lose eight yards on three carries before missing a 24-yard field goal.
With time running out in the fourth quarter, Sorin hoped to drive down the length of the field for the winning score. Before the Otters could capitalize on this momentum, however, Alumni hit Carney as he dropped back to pass and recovered the ball. Carney fumbled on a questionable call. The call went in Alumni's favor, and the Dawgs scored three plays later when Cottingham connected with Corey Harkins for a spectacular caWhile Sorin's season is over, Alumni faces Dillon in the next round of the playoffs. The Dawgs and Big Red will meet for the second time this season. Alumni won the first meeting 14-0.
"We played Dillon in the semifinals last year," Roodhouse said. "It's a big game. We'll be up for it."
Fisher 21, Zahm 7
At least one football team wearing green uniforms was successful this weekend.
Fisher moved on to the next round of the interhall playoffs as the Green Wave defeated Zahm 21-7.
The Fisher defense brought its A-game, intercepting Zahm quarterback Dan Burke five times, including an interception returned for a touchdown.
"We noticed them [Zahm] warming up by passing on the sidelines," said Fisher captain Tom Gorman. "Our coaches did a really good job of preparing us for their passing game."
Despite the fact that Burke was largely ineffective, Zahm coach Nick Passafiume would not place sole blame on his team's senior passer.
Burke didn't have to wait too long to make a mistake — his very first pass on the first play of the game was intercepted by Fisher cornerback Neil Vargas. The play was an attempt to trick the Green Wave, with Burke handing off to his running back, who then tossed it back to Burke for the pass attempt.
Fisher was unable to score off the initial turnover; kicker Carl Elkins missed a 36-yard field goal attempt at the end of the drive.
Neither team was able to score in the first half, and it took another Zahm turnover before Fisher was finally able to break the tie.
On the Zahmbies' first drive of the second half, Burke was intercepted by freshman Fisher cornerback Matt Mitchell, who returned it 38 yards for the touchdown. The extra point by Elkins was good.
Zahm immediately answered with its next drive, including a key 32-yard pass from Burke to wide receiver Mike Russell to the Fisher 3-yard line. Two plays later, Burke ran the touchdown in on a quarterback sneak, and kicker Pat Amato hit the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.
Fisher scored on its next offensive series, with a 55-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Andy Pfiester to running back Kameron Chappell. The extra point was blocked.
Burke threw another interception in Zahm's next series, this time to defensive back Lee Gettler, who returned it 44 yards. Fisher was able to capitalize after taking over on the Zahm 18-yard line.
Three plays later, Pfiester handed off to running back Kameron Chappell for a 1-yard touchdown run. The ensuing two-point conversion, a pass from Pfiester to Gorman, was good.
Passafiume was disappointed in the loss, but said that the Zahmbies have a bright future.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, November 5, 2002
