Nitsche and DiCanio Lead Shamrocks Past Chargers
October 6, 2008

Adam Nitsche scored three touchdowns and Dan DiCanio rushed for a team-high 96 yards and two scores as the St. Patrick Shamrocks topped the Chargers of St. Joseph 34-19 on October 3 at Hanson Stadium. Nitsche scored on a rush, a pass reception and an interception return as the Shamrocks improved their record to 5-1, locking up their first IHSA State Playoff bid in three years.

The Chargers took the opening kickoff and immediately drove deep into Shamrock territory. On second and eight from the Shamrock ten yard line, running back Tim Kelly was unable to handle a pitch from quarterback Cameron Meredith. Seth Duncan recovered for the Shamrocks at their own 24. On their first possession, the Shamrocks drove 43 yards on eight plays before turning the ball over on downs at the Charger 33. The Shamrocks stopped the Chargers next drive after five plays, and a 41-yard punt return by Conor Joyce set the Shamrock offense up at the St. Joseph 41 yard line. Three plays later, DiCanio kept the ball on an option play, racing up the right side for a 38-yard touchdown. Bill Ruehlmann’s extra point was blocked, making the score 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Chargers went three and out on their next possession, and the Shamrocks took over at their own 28. Patrick Nelson broke a 37-yard run on the first play of the drive, taking the ball to the Charger 35. Three plays later, DiCanio rolled right, finding Nitsche for a 19 yard touchdown pass to make the score 13-0.

Kelly had a tough time handling Ruehlmann’s kickoff, and a Charger penalty left St. Joseph at their four yard line to start their next drive. The Shamrock defense forced another three and out, and they took over at the Charger 45. Two plays later, Nitsche broke through the line and scored on a 39-yard touchdown run to make it 20-0.

The Shamrock offense had demonstrated a quick-strike capability, scoring 20 points and gaining 155 yards on only seven plays from scrimmage.

The Chargers took advantage of a short field to get on the scoreboard when Meredith hit Ron Moore for a six-yard touchdown pass, capping a four-play 29-yard drive with less than a minute remaining in the half. The teams headed to the locker rooms with the score 20-6 in favor of the Shamrocks.

The Chargers tried an onside kick to start the second half, but Will Brennan’s kick went out of bounds before it went 10 yards, giving the Shamrocks the ball at the Charger 47. DiCanio quickly broke a 40-yard run, giving the Shamrocks first and goal from the Chargers three yard line. Three plays, four penalties and a fumble later, the Shamrocks had top settle for a Ruehlmann field goal attempt from 39-yards out. The kick came up short, and the Chargers took over at their own 20. On the first play from scrimmage, The Chargers attempted a double-pass play. Moore’s pass was intercepted by Nitsche, who returned it 40 yards for his third touchdown of the game.

The Chargers drove 61 yards in eight plays, aided by a pass interference penalty, to set up first and goal at the Shamrock six. An encroachment penalty moved the ball to the three. Two running plays netted no yards, and an incomplete pass brought up fourth down. Meredith’s pass for Moore fell incomplete, but the Shamrocks were flagged for pass interference again, giving the Chargers first and goal at the one-yard-line. It took Kelly four tries but, after being stopped by Brian Felke, Ryan Syzmonik and a host of Shamrock defenders on the first three tries, he was ruled to have broken the plane of the goal line on fourth down. The third quarter ended with the Shamrocks holding on to a 27-13 advantage.

The Shamrocks added an insurance touchdown with a 65-yard drive, culminating in a DiCanio 12-yard scoring run, to make the score 34-13. The Chargers wouldn’t go away. A 39-yard kickoff return by Kelly gave the Chargers the ball near midfield, and they put together another lengthy, penalty-filled drive. Meredith finally hit Kelly for a three-yard touchdown pass to cap the 13-play, 51-yard drive, which featured three more Shamrock penalties. Saint Patrick was able to ice the game with a 12 play drive that took more than five minutes off of the clock.

The Shamrock offense averaged nine yards per play, rolling up 339 rushing yards and 397 yards of offense on 44 plays from scrimmage. Five Shamrocks rushed for over 40 yards: DiCanio (96), Nelson (63), Nitsche (60), Andrew Lapezo (45), and Patrick Whalen (40). Saint Patrick was penalized 17 times for a total of 136 yards.

Felke and Tom Mockler paced the Shamrock defense with seven tackles apiece. Felke added two tackles for loss and a sack, while Mike Labek and Ryan Syzmonik each recorded five tackles for the Shamrocks.

St. Patrick heads to the south side next Friday, where they will take on the Redhawks of Marist (4-2/2-2 ESCC) in an East Suburban Catholic Conference battle.