Benet gets 'fantastic' win over St. Viator

The Benet defense stuffed the St. Viator attack for most of the night in Friday's East Suburban Catholic Conference contest in Arlington Heights.

Then the visiting Redwings were forced to make one last big stop late in the game and they weren't about to let the win slip away.

Viator rallied from a 9-point fourth-quarter deficit with a late touchdown and had the ball in the final minute in Benet territory, but time ran out on the Lions in a 15-13 Redwings' victory.

"This is fantastic," said Benet senior defensive back Mike Vanchieri, who keyed a stellar effort by the Redwings secondary. "I think this is the most fun I've ever had at a football game."

Benet (2-4, 2-2) opened the scoring in the second quarter. After punter Andrew Veselik pinned Viator (2-4, 0-2) at its 1, the Redwings defense tackled running back Nick Niro in the end zone for a safety.

Benet added a second-quarter touchdown on a 1-run yard by Mike Wuest but Viator answered before halftime when quarterback Julian Sipiora plunged over from a yard.

Then the Benet running game kicked into gear to start the second half and a long drive culminated in another 1-yard TD run by Wuest, who finished with 132 yards on 26 carries.

"Our offense was playing great and our defense was playing great," said Vanchieri, "and when both of those working for you it's pretty good."

Viator had a late chance when Sipiora connected on a 16-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Richard McLoughlin, and the extra point by John Sandmeir brought the Lions to within 2 points with 44 seconds remaining in the game.

Then Sandmeir pooched a perfect onside kick and the kicker also got the recovery, and the Lions were able to drive to Benet's 45 with time for one last play.

With just seconds remaining Sipiora launched a bomb down the right sideline that landed just beyond the outstretched arms of Dan Faerber at the Redwings 10 as the horn sounded.

"This is an awesome feeling," said Benet junior Nick Melka, who along with defensive line teammate Victor Sadauskas spent much of the second half in the Viator backfield and sacked Sipiora 3 times.

"Our defensive line stepped up and our offense stepped up when we needed it. It was just a great game."