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Shamrocks Hang on for 14-11 Win at Benet
October 8, 2004
The Saint Patrick Shamrocks ran their record to 6-1 with a thrilling 14-11 victory over the Red Wings of Benet Academy. The Shamrocks got out to a 14-3 lead, and held off a furious Red Wing rally at the end of the game. The Shamrocks won despite starting their second half drives from an average position of their own 13-yard line.
Saint Patrick jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 2:10 remaining in the first quarter, when Kevin Golden rumbled through several Benet defenders on his way to a 25-yard touchdown over right end. Two plays earlier, Golden had caught a short pass from Tom Barrett and carried it for a 25-yard gain down the right sideline.
Benet took the ensuing kickoff and drove to the Shamrock 38 before being stopped, and the Red Wings were able to pin the Shamrocks deep in their own territory, downing Dan LeFevour’s punt at the one-yard-line. The Shamrocks drove eight yards on four plays, and Benet took over at the Shamrock 39 following Mark Dietz’s punt. Benet took advantage of their outstanding field position, driving 34 yards on nine plays before stalling at the Shamrock five. Brendan Hannigan kicked a 22-yard field goal, and the score was 7-3 in favor of the Shamrocks.
The Shamrocks went three and out, giving Benet the ball at their own 44, but the Red Wings managed only 12 yards and had to punt. LeFevour’s punt was fielded at the Shamrock six by Joe Nee, who returned it to the Saint Patrick 17 with 54 seconds remaining in the half. On the next play from scrimmage, Mike Lupa broke through the line and raced up the right sideline for an 83-yard touchdown that put the Shamrocks up 14-3 at the half.
Benet got the ball coming out of the half. They were stopped by the Shamrocks, but a 45-yard punt pinned Saint Patrick deep again, on their own 13. The Shamrocks embarked on an 80-yard drive, running 14 plays, and taking nearly six minutes off the clock, before Chris Gasiorek missed wide left on a 44 yard field goal attempt.
Benet drove 36 yards before punting to the Shamrock five. The Shamrocks gained only 13 yards on their drive, and Dietz’s 22-yard put set Benet up at the Shamrock 40. The Red Wings capitalized with an eight-play drive, finished off by a four-yard touchdown run by Matt Lemay. LeFevour hit Mike Persak for the two-point conversion, and Benet pulled within a field goal at 14-11 with 7:17 left on the clock.
Again the Shamrocks went three and out, with Benet taking the ball at their own 40 with 4:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Red Wings ran 14 plays, getting as close as the Shamrock eight –yard-line, where they face a third and seven with 42 seconds remaining in the game. LeFevour’s pass intended for Mike Persak was under thrown, and Persak was called for pass interference as he mad contact with Pat Gallagly in the end zone. The resulting penalty brought up fourth and 22 from the Shamrock 23. Hannigan came on to attempt his second field goal, this one a 41-yarder to send the game to overtime. Hannigan’s kick sailed wide left, and the Shamrocks escaped with their sixth win.
The Shamrock ground game was outstanding again, featuring three backs in a balanced attack. Lupa led the way with 121 yards on seven carries, while Dietz rushed for 68 yards on nine attempts and Golden rushed 10 times for 53 yards. Tom Barrett completed nine of 15 passes for 82 yards. Steve Rivera and Matt O’Brien each caught two passes to lead the team.
Defensively, Brandon Kreczmer recorded a team-high 11 tackles and a sack, while Dietz added seven tackles and a sack. Defensive backs, Brian O’Connor, Pat Gallagly, and Jack Lonquist each tallied six tackles. |
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