The Saint Patrick Shamrocks fell to 2-6 on the season, when they lost 28-19 at Nazareth Academy on Saturday, October 13.  The Shamrocks dug themselves a 21-0 hole in the first half, but showed some heart by mounting a furious second half rally that came up a little short.

Neither team was able to get much going in the first quarter, with the first four possessions resulting in punts.  On the Roadrunner’s third possession of the game, they got the ball at midfield, and put together a 12- play, 50-yard drive, with Curtis Cannon scoring on a one-yard touchdown run.

The Shamrocks came back with a solid drive.  Facing fourth and three at the Roadrunner 38, the Shamrocks were called for two consecutive illegal procedure penalties, forcing them to punt.  Nazareth took the ball at their own 24, and they marched 76 yards on ten plays, with Phillip Kaiser hitting Mike Shaw for an eight-yard touchdown pass, giving the Roadrunners a 14-0 advantage.

The Shamrocks lost 10 yards on their next possession, and a short punt gave the Roadrunners the ball at the Shamrock 43 with 1:57 left to play in the first half.  The Roadrunners were able to put together an 11 play drive, finished off by an eight-yard, Kaiser to Gannon, touchdown pass, which made the score 21-0 with only three seconds remaining in the half.

The Shamrocks came out of the halftime break looking like a new team.  They took the opening kickoff of the second half, and they drove 72-yards in 12 plays.  Fabrixzio hit Jeff Dicks for a seven-yard touchdown pass that made the score 21-7.

Eric Silva’s spectacular interception down the right sideline stopped the Roadrunners, and it gave the Shamrocks the ball back at their own eight-yard line.  Saint Patrick opened the drive with a 39-yard gain by Eddie Ortiz on a reverse, and drove deep into Roadrunner territory.  Facing fourth and eight at the Nazareth 19, a scrambling Fabrizio hit Ortiz for a touchdown over the middle.  Chris Zepeda’s kick sailed wide right, and the Roadrunner’s lead was trimmed to 21-13. 

Nazareth came back with a 10-play, 65-yard drive, capped off by a Kaiser to Johnny Nelson touchdown pass from the Shamrock two-yard line, which put the Roadrunners in front by a score of 28-13. 

Both teams went three and out in their next possessions, before the Shamrocks drove 37yards and turned the ball over on downs at the Roadrunner 31.  Conor Joyce intercepted a Kaiser pass to give the Shamrocks a glimmer of hope.  Saint Patrick took advantage of the Nazareth mistake, driving 64-yards for a touchdown.  This time Fabrizio hit Dicks from 19-yards out to make it 28-19.  Zepeda’s extra point attempt missed wide left, and the Shamrocks still trailed by two scores.  From there the Roadrunners were able to run the clock out, preserving the victory.

Fabrizio finished the day 13 of 25 for 140 yards and threw three touchdowns.  Dicks caught seven passes for 94-yards and two touchdowns.  Luis Sanchez and Adam Nitsche shared the load in the Shamrock running game.  Sanchez rushed for 60 yards on 14 carries, while Nitsche gained 55 yards on 14 rushes. 

Defensively, middle linebacker George Vitzileos led the Shamrock defense with 10 tackles and a forced fumble.  Safety Matt Hansen made nine tackles, and defensive lineman Nick Madsen was all over the field, recording eight tackles.

Saint Patrick hosts Marian Catholic at Hanson Stadium next Friday at 8:00 pm.