All Elmwood Park needed was a spark on Saturday, Oct. 17, as it struggled to move the ball in the first quarter against Walther Christian.
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Julian Moscatello was happy to provide that flicker, as the junior defensive back and receiver returned a punt return 82 yards near the end of the first quarter to break a scoreless tie.
The Tigers rolled from that point, coasting to a 41-0 Metro Suburban East victory in Melrose Park.
“The coaches set me up to return right, but I took it to the left at first,” Moscatello said. “I heard somebody say, ‘Take it to the right,’ so I broke it back and got a great block by Brandon Romero downfield, and I just ran.
“We needed somebody to make a play. I stepped up and made it, just like my teammates do when we need them to.”
Moscatello said it was his first punt return for a touchdown, although he’s sniffed the end zone.
“I have had a couple of close ones, but got caught from behind on a few,” Moscatello said. “I am not the fastest, but I tried my hardest and took it back.”
Once Elmwood Park (4-4, 3-1) got moving, the Tigers defense took over. The Tigers’ D recovered three fumbles by Walther Christian (1-7, 1-3) that led directly to touchdowns.
“We preach (turnovers) all the time, that is an important thing,” linebacker Paulie Behzad said. “When you have two defenders on a player, the main thing is to strip the ball. Our main thing in practice is tackling, stripping the ball and securing the tackle.”
Elmwood Park converted with touchdown runs by Moscatello and Matt Bittner in the first half to give the Tigers a 20-0 lead.
Moscatello, Behzad and Romero all recovered fumbles for Elmwood Park.
“For the offense, when (defense) makes a stand, it gives the offense a lot of hype,” Behzad said. “It gives them the opportunity to go in there and score.”
One of the critical moments for the Tigers defense was early in the fourth quarter, when Walther Christian marched deep and were poised to end the shutout. But the defense held on fourth-and-11 to snuff the Broncos’ scoring chance.
“That is the main goal as a defense, to get shutouts,” Behzad said. “I would say we are one of the best defenses in the conference. Everyone comes hard in practice and everybody plays with heart.”
The Tigers still are in position to still make the playoffs if they can defeat St. Edward in their final regular season contest on Friday, Oct. 23.
“We are excited, we are going against a very good opponent,” Elmwood Park coach John Freeman said. “They have a very good running back, who will be difficult to stop. Our defense will get on the field and will be up to the task.
“It is a great way to either propel yourself in to the playoffs, or maybe you do not deserve to go. It is win or go home. Our kids have responded when they are put in that position all year long.”
Patrick Kelly is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.