Hilltoppers Hand Shamrocks First Loss
September 29, 2008

The Saint Patrick Shamrocks (4-1 overall, 2-1 ESCC) suffered their first defeat of the season in a 21-7 loss to the Joliet Catholic Hilltoppers (3-2 overall, 3-0 ESCC) on Sept. 25 at Hanson Stadium.

The Hilltoppers took the opening kickoff and drove 65 yards for a touchdown. Hilltopper Tyler Hudetz carried three times for 61 yards on the drive, including a 48-yard cutback run and a nine-yard rush for the score.

The remainder of the half was a scoreless battle of rushing attacks. The Shamrocks had three possessions during which they were able to pick up seven first downs. The Hilltoppers drove two possessions into Shamrock territory before being stopped on downs. Junior Sam Legg stopped Hudetz just short of a first down. Senior Conor Joyce, and junior Tom Vitzileos stuffed Hilltopper Calvin Smith on the other.

A 35-yard pass from senior Dan DiCanio to senior Adam Nitsche to start the third quarter helped the Shamrocks pick up 53 yards. The Shamrocks did not score on the possession however, and the Hilltoppers began to gain momentum. Matt Ginnetti’s nine-yard touchdown run that put the Hilltoppers up 14-0 capped off a nine-play 80-yard drive.

The Shamrock offense went three and out on their next possession setting up the Hilltoppers for another offensive attack. Hudetz eventually iced the game with a six-yard touchdown run, his second of the game.

The Hilltoppers rolled up 358 yards of offense and completed 17 first downs, while the Shamrocks moved only 107 yards and had just six first downs. Dicanio rushed for a team high 37 yards on 11 carries, and was 3-of-7 for 36 yards. Nitsche rushed for 32 yards on 14 carries.

Senior Mike Labek led the Shamrock defense with 10 tackles and a forced fumble. Joyce and junior Joseph Johnsen each recorded seven tackles. Junior Tom Mockler and senior Patrick Whalen each added six tackles for the Shamrocks.

The Shamrocks look to get back to their winning ways for their Homecoming at Hanson Stadium this Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. as they host conference rival St. Joseph (2-3 overall, 0-3 ESCC).