Driscoll makes certain of victory
The sweet small of success.
Driscoll football certainly has it, beating Immaculate Conception 28-0 Friday night at Robert A. Barth Field in Addison, the Highlanders' 16th straight Suburban Catholic Conference victory over IC.
Driscoll (4-1, 2-1) can also smell uncertainty, according to Knights coach Bill Schmidt.
"If any doubt creeps in at any point, you're done," he said. "They smell that out, and that's why they're a seven-time champion. They smell that and then they take advantage of you and then they pounce on you."
It happened fast, just what IC (3-2, 2-1) couldn't afford.
A low punt snap on the Knights' first possession resulted in a 6-yard boot, setting Driscoll up at midfield. Homecoming king Steven Schwabe's 40-yard pass to Joey Calabrese led to Nick Campanella's 6-yard touchdown catch. The first of Brett Warren's 4 extra points gave Driscoll a quick 7-0 lead.
Driscoll's defense forced a punt and on the next play Campanella broke an 89-yard touchdown run.
"They blitzed, our center (Dan Meyo) picked it up, and he (the IC defender) ran right by me when I got the ball. From there we executed it perfectly," said Campanella, who carried 16 times for 139 yards.
Driscoll loves the big play. IC is a grinder. Despite Jose Godinez's fumble recovery and interceptions by Carlos Rodriguez, Paul Hornstra and Erik Hansen, the Knights' ground game never really clicked.
"I think we controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball," said Driscoll coach Brandon New.
Coming in averaging 6.5 yards a pop, Hornstra was limited to 71 yards on 16 carries, Rodriguez to 20 yards on 7 carries. Driscoll sacked IC quarterback Will Cronin 4 times.
"They do option a lot, so everyone had their option responsibility and we were able to shut it down," said Driscoll's Trace Jenkins, who blocked a punt, recovered a fumble and wreaked havoc with fellow linemen Sean Banahan and Frank Barcal and linebacker Dan Palermo.
The 14-0 score stood till halftime, then Jenkins' recovery renewed the process. Driscoll scored on consecutive third-quarter possessions, a Calabrese 2-yard run and Schwabe's 1-yard sneak after his 38-yard run.
"They were more physical off the ball to start the game," said IC lineman Matt Purdom. "We knew we could move the ball, but we just weren't ready to play. It's probably the most disappointing loss I've ever been a part of."