While Benet’s black jerseys might not be selling quite as fast as those of the Bulls, the garments the Redwings (4-1) wore Saturday in their 14-10 homecoming victory over No. 8 Marian Catholic (3-2) made the Redwings seniors feel like champions–at least for a day.
Benet only pulls out the black duds on special occasions and each senior gets to keep the jersey. But after the upset, the athletic department might consider asking for them back.
After falling behind 10-0 in the first quarter as a result of Terrence Pirtle’s 28-yard run and Tim Cassata’s 29-yard field goal, Roman Speron’s 14-yard run pulled Benet to within three points at the half.
Benet took the lead for good on a well-orchestrated drive early in the third quarter that was set up by Erik Pucek’s interception deep in Redwings territory. Quarterback Bob Barz, after hitting Dave Swanson for a 14-yard gain, punched the ball in the end zone from 1 yard out.
The Spartans challenged late in the game, but Dan Bailey’s sack inside the 15-yard line on fourth down sealed the victory for Benet.
“We shut their offense down,” Benet coach Gary Goforth said. “The kids executed the defense to perfection. This is my biggest win at Benet with the possible exception of a 28-21 comeback win over Providence, my first season.”
The loss was the second in a row for the Spartans, who were without starting quarterback Phil Wail, who broke his collarbone in last week’s loss to No. 6 Mt. Carmel.
“Benet had an outstanding game plan,” said Marian Catholic coach Dave Mattio. “They took away the things we thought we would be capable of doing. They stuffed us and we did not have the ability to throw the ball. Give credit to Benet, they’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”
Nazareth 35, Peru St. Bede 14: Junior running back Phil Reed became the area’s first 1,000-yard rusher with his 130 yards in Nazareth’s Private School League victory over Peru St. Bede (4-1, 2-1). Reed, who ran for 1,200 last fall, scored three TDs, including a 67-yard reception from Sean Egan (8 for 13, 213 yards, two TDs). Dominic Senese (two interceptions) and Joe Plahm (seven tackles, one interception) led the defense for the Roadrunners.
St. Charles 34, Larkin 21: Eric Peterson rushed for 163 yards and one TD and the St. Charles defense held a limping Vince Webber to just 53 yards en route to the upset of the 19th-ranked Royals (3-2, 1-2 Upstate Eight). Jim Caine added three touchdowns for the Saints (2-3, 2-1). Webber scored on a 1-yard run and a 73-yard pass from Matt Schaber (11 for 21, 202 yards) but is still hampered by an ankle injury.
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“We knew coming in we’d have to stop Webber,” said Peterson, whose TD came on a 2-yard dive.
Addison Trail 40, Morton 8: Filling in for the suspended Taso Nikolaou, Anthony Lawicki (16 caries) rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown in his first varsity game to lead the Blazers (4-1, 2-1) past Morton (1-4, 0-2) in the West Suburban Gold. Brian Taylor (82 yards) added two rushing touchdowns and Jason Coogan returned a fumble 54 yards for a TD.
Glenbard South 18, Plainfield 14: Paul Faber (20 carries, 119 yards) had a pair of 4-yard touchdown runs to lift the Raiders (2-3, 1-0 Suburban Prairie Red) in the come-from-behind victory. Dusty Slawinski’s 12-yard pass to Steve O’Malley provided the other score for Glenbard South.
Glenbard East 38, West Chicago 14: John Bell carried the ball eight times for 125 yards, including two touchdown runs for the Rams (3-2, 1-2 DuPage Valley). Frank Friedman also ran for a pair of touchdowns for Glenbard East.
Glenbard West 31, Proviso West 6: Dave Neil ran for two touchdowns and kicked a 31-yard field goal and four extra points to pace Glenbard West (4-1, 3-0 West Suburban Silver) in its rout of Proviso West (1-4, 0-2). Sidney Washington returned an interception 16 yards for the Panthers’ lone score.
Lisle 21, Sandwich 14: Chris McCullough rushed for 143 yards and a 5-yard touchdown and Pat Kerrins added 111 yards on the ground and one TD to lead Lisle (3-2, 3-0) in the Interstate Eight. Sandwich (1-4, 1-2) scored on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half.
Marmion 50, Driscoll 20: Joe Mayer caught touchdown passes of 33 and 59 yards from Kyle Faltijeral to lead Marmion (4-1, 2-1) to the Suburban Catholic victory. Tom Koutsos added a pair of touchdown runs for the Cadets.
Montini 22, St. Francis 21 (OT): In overtime, Pat McGady (15 for 32, 240 yards, 3 TDs) connected with Chris Pestel (7 catches, 146 yards, 2 TDs) on a 10-yard touchdown pass and then again on a fade pattern for the two-point conversion to give the Broncos (5-0, 3-0) the Suburban Catholic victory over St. Francis (4-1, 2-1). McGrady’s 72-yard touchdown pass to Pestel tied the score at 14 late in the third quarter.
Plano 29, Reed-Custer 26 (OT): Matt Johns rushed for 275 of Plano’s 282 yards of offense and four TDs, but Matt Alfredson’s 20-yard field goal in overtime gave the Reapers (3-2, 2-1) the Interstate Eight victory over Reed-Custer (2-3, 0-3). Plano’s goal-line stand in overtime, highlighted by Dan Cadena’s deflected pass, set up Alfredson’s game-winning kick. Johns now has 985 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
Ridgewood 34, Herscher 20: Ridgewood (4-1, 1-0) downed Herscher (0-5, 0-1) in a Suburban Prairie Blue opener as Brian Rzewnicki (21 carries) recorded his fifth straight 100-yard game with his 136-yard, one-touchdown performance. Matt Katchinski accounted for all three Herscher TDs.
Westmont 34, Evergreen Park 24: Dave Chorney (18 carries, 125 yards) ran for three touchdowns and returned an interception 22 yards for a fourth TD as the Sentinels (3-2, 1-0) won the Suburban Prairie Blue opener after trailing 24-19 at the half.