Joliet Catholic rushes past Wheaton North

There are many challenges that must be overcome when attempting to defend Joliet Catholic Academy's running attack, but one of the most overlooked is the fact that the Hilltoppers' scheme is so unique that it is next to impossible to prepare for, especially with only one week of practice.

Wheaton North found that out first hand on Friday night as the Hilltoppers, led by Michael Johnson's 236 rushing yards, rolled up 352 on the ground in a 34-14 nonconference victory over the visiting Falcons.

"They're tough to prepare for. We try to get the guys to replicate what they do in practice, but that's one of the best running games in the state," said Wheaton North coach Joe Wardynski. "I'm proud of the kids because we had some good series against them, but our consistency isn't there yet."

With all that being said, when Steele Graham, who returned the second-half kickoff 33 yards to the Hilltoppers' 42, hauled in a 23-yard scoring pass from Luke Anthony two plays later, the Falcons (0-2) trailed just 20-14. That score was followed by a defensive stop and the Falcons had every right to believe that momentum was firmly in their corner.

Then JCA's Bill Rotnicki made a big play of his own, intercepting an Anthony pass in Wheaton North territory and five plays later Johnson capped a 40-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge to restore the two-touchdown advantage. It was Rotnicki's second interception of the game.

"I saw their guy coming across and saw the ball coming shallow and I got up for it," Rotnicki said. "The guys up front got good pressure on him and the throw was a little off."

"It was disappointing to get a stop, and I was on the bench with the defense and hear in my headset that the defense had to get back out there, but that's part of the game and you have to deal with it," Wardynski added.

The Hilltoppers (2-0) actually went away from form as their first two touchdowns came on first-quarter Cade Earl scoring passes to Jake Kinsella of 12 yards and Johnson of 5 yards as they took a 14-0 lead after one quarter. The lead grew to 20-0 midway through the second quarter when Johnson capped a 43-yard drive with a 22-yard run. Wheaton North closed within 20-7 at the half when Marcus Gustaveson high-pointed Anthony's 22-yard fade pass in the back corner of the end zone with 1:19 left. Harry Davis' 1-yard run closed the scoring in the fourth quarter.