Joliet Catholic stops Benet

There's no secret when you play Joliet Catholic Academy: the Hilltoppers are going to run the ball and run the ball, then run it some more. The surprise when Benet traveled to Joliet on Friday night was how the Hilltoppers offense was triggered.

With starting quarterback Cade Earl sidelined by an injury, Joliet Catholic came out in a Wildcat formation with running back Michael Johnson taking shotgun snaps. Though there were some hiccups - several illegal procedure penalties, 5 fumbles and 2 lost, and 10 carries for zero or negative yardage - the Hilltoppers did enough right to post a 27-0 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over the Redwings.

"I think it was success," said Hilltoppers coach Dan Sharp. "It was still double wing, misdirection and the power game, but we just had a running back running it."

"We knew Earl was out and didn't really expect the Wildcat, but it was still the same offensive scheme they run," added Benet coach Pat New. "That's their game, you expect them to run, they've got a great offensive line and our guys played hard, but they just wore us down."

The Redwings (5-3, 3-3) had Brian Runger and Glen Kleinschmidt recover fumbles in the first half, but they were sandwiched around Johnson's 6-yard run that gave the Hilltoppers (6-2, 5-1) a 7-0 lead after one quarter. Joliet Catholic then stretched the lead to 10-0 at the half on Brian Bravo's 47-yard field goal into a brisk wind.

For the half the Redwings never threatened as the Hilltoppers defense limited them to 3 rushing yards on 10 carries with quarterback Jack Sznajder throwing for 71 yards, most of it between the 30s.

Benet's comeback hopes were dampened by 3 turnovers to open the second half, interceptions by Michael Gruben and Zach Lukasik and a fumbled punt. The Hilltoppers turned the fumble recovery into a 42-yard field goal by Bravo for a 13-0 lead after three periods.

Joliet Catholic capped an 11-play, 51-yard drive to open the fourth quarter with Drew Voss' 5-yard run before the Hilltoppers' only pass of the game resulted in a touchdown as backup quarterback Cameron Behymer found Harold Davis for 57 yards behind the tiring Redwings defense.

Things didn't get much better offensively in the second half for the Redwings when the Hilltoppers posted their fourth shutout in the last five meetings with Benet. While Sznajder threw for 127 yards, he was intercepted 3 times and sacked twice while the ground game could generate just 13 yards on 14 carries.

"That was totally what Hillmen defense should be," Sharp said. "Hard-hitting, force turnovers, then after we turn it over go out there and get a three-and-out. It was a complete team performance."