Benet’s Brett Kerger recalled his last safety coming as a freshman.
The senior defensive lineman is going to remember his most recent one a little fondly.
Kerger’s tackle of Rolling Meadows quarterback Asher O’Hara in the end zone was a pivotal moment during Saturday’s Class 7A quarterfinal game.
It was part of Benet’s dominating defensive performance as the Redwings went on the road and knocked off previously unbeaten Rolling Meadows 15-8.
Benet (10-2), back in the semifinals for the first time since 2012, hosts East St. Louis (12-0) at 2 p.m. Saturday.
“Every week we’re getting better and better,” Kerger said. “We’re excited for the challenge.”
Kerger’s big play came with Benet clinging to a 2-point lead. Rolling Meadows linebacker Kevin Haltman returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown to make it 10-8 with 1:11 left in the third quarter.
The Redwings subsequently went three-and-out, but Benet’s Brian Uhler pinned Rolling Meadows deep with a 62-yard punt. Three plays later, Kerger knifed through the line for a safety, a 12-8 lead with 12:17 left and breathing room.
“We had a stunt on and my defensive tackle got me free,” Kerger said. “He cleared the guard and the center out and I just came free.”
It was one of many big moments by Benet’s defense.
Rolling Meadows (11-1) entered averaging almost 36 points per game. The Mustangs moved past midfield five times, including three drives inside the 20, but each time came away with nothing.
“The defense was awesome — they’ve been great all year,” Benet coach Pat New said. “We put them in a bind a bunch of times but they stepped up.”
Indeed, Benet’s defense stiffened when it mattered most.
Rolling Meadows generated just 17 yards in four drives after Haltman’s pick-six.
“We’ve faced a lot of triple-option teams, so we’re familiar with that kind of football,” Kerger said. “It’s just responsibility football. We had a defender assigned to every person.”
Benet quarterback Jack Sznajder completed 24 of 35 passes for 262 yards and a TD, but also threw three interceptions. Benet committed four turnovers.
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The defense had Sznajder’s back.
“Doesn’t surprise me,” Sznajder said. “They make plays all over the field and are relentless.”
Danny O’Malley was one of those playmakers.
He intercepted O’Hara twice, the first a leaping grab in the end zone midway through the third quarter with Benet leading 10-0.
O’Malley’s second interception and 20-yard return to Rolling Meadows’ 10 set up Victor Karam’s 25-yard field goal — his second — for a 15-8 lead with 6:17 left.
“Our defensive line played amazing and our linebackers played even better,” O’Malley said. “We forced them to pass and we made plays.”
Sznajder was sharp in Benet’s only TD drive.
He completed five straight passes during an 11-play, 89-yard march. Sznajder found a wide-open Marty Dosen down the left sideline for a 20-yard TD and 7-0 lead with 5:31 left in the first half.
“It was a designed wheel route and Marty ran it perfectly,” Sznajder said. “He stopped for a little bit so he could shake off the defender. That got him open.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.