It's Niro-mania as St. Viator singes Hersey
Nick Niro wasn't even involved in the offensive plan in St. Viator's first two series Friday night.
But a Hersey punt changed those plans dramatically in the season-opening battle for Arlington Heights football bragging rights before a full house at Forest View.
The Lions were pinned at their own 5-yard line and switched from a spread to a goal-line offense. Niro took the ball and ran with it 25 times for 197 yards and 3 touchdowns as they rolled to a 33-7 victory.
"Everything clicked," the 5-foot-8, 185-pound Niro said after Viator beat Hersey for the third straight year and fourth time in a row. "The offensive line couldn't have done a better job.
"They were opening up the biggest holes I've seen ever. They paved the way."
Niro capped a 95-yard drive with a 3-yard score. He also had a 53-yard run to set up a 4-yard TD and put Viator up 20-0 at halftime with a 1-yard blast into the end zone.
And tackles Dan Schatz and Aaron Shuff, guards David Beiswenger and Mike Fleming, center Kevin Darling and tight end Sean Conerty had a blast leading Viator to 477 yards of total offense.
"Our offensive line came together so great today," said Schatz, a senior who moved from guard to tackle and is getting Division I interest. "We had a chip on our shoulder we always need to prove to people we can do it."
Junior Julian Sipiora was also a big beneficiary. He was 13-for-20 passing for 175 yards and second-half touchdowns of 12 yards to Jake Mastrangeli and 18 yards to Richard McLoughlin (7 catches, 106 yards).
"I'm always hardest on them but I felt they played well," Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick said of his offensive line. "Julian threw the ball well."
Viator's defense also bent but didn't break until there were 30 seconds left and Hersey backup quarterback Kevin Siwik threw a 12-yard touchdown to Brandon Klein.
Joe Peart, Dan Faerber, Connor Ptacin, Matt O'Keeffe, Matt Barry and Conerty were in on tackles for losses. Anthony Ferrazzuolo had a leaping interception in the back of the end zone.
Hersey did move the ball for 288 yards as gutty junior Steve Nelson was 16-for-27 passing for 199 yards. But 6 possessions into Viator territory went for naught in its 12th straight loss.
"Give Viator credit, they controlled the clock and our defense got pretty worn out," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "It's a whole different game if we make some key plays. That's indicative of still being a pretty young team."