Montini upends Driscoll

It was the least Brendan Shannon could do - and the most important.

Entering Saturday's clash against Driscoll for the Suburban Catholic Conference football title, an ankle sprain had limited the Montini senior to two series over the last three games. Last week, he didn't play.

"Yeah," Shannon said. "But I've been paying attention in practice."

The defensive back's attention to detail at John L. Duffy Memorial Field in Lombard created what Broncos coach Chris Andriano called, "one of the biggest plays in the history of our school."

Rolling behind 10 unanswered points and quarterback Steven Schwabe's hot hand, Driscoll sat first-and-goal at Montini's 3-yard line, seeking its first lead of the game inside of seven minutes left to play.

The Highlanders went with a direct snap to the halfback, who threw into the end zone. Instead of finding the intended target, Shannon's sprawling, one-handed interception gave Montini possession and, shortly thereafter, a 14-13 victory.

"If Shannon doesn't make that pick, you're interviewing (Driscoll coach) Brandon New," Andriano said. "That's the truth. It's the biggest play of the season for us, in the biggest game."

Montini (9-0, 7-0) won its first SCC title since 2005, making good for Highlanders victories in 1982 and 2007 that denied Montini unbeaten regular-season records. Montini's only other 9-0 mark came in 1995.

"It's a tough loss, but we have to get over it," said Schwabe, who completed 22 of 36 passes for 201 yards. His 38-yard touchdown pass to Joey Calabrese pulled Driscoll within 14-10 at 5:38 of the third quarter. Brett Warren kicked a 30-yard field goal to trim Montini's lead to 14-13 with 10:43 left in the game.

"If we want to dwell on it, (the postseason is) going to end quick," Schwabe said. "It's going to feel like forever, but it's going to end quick."

A defensive struggle, it took a while for Montini or Driscoll (7-2, 5-2) to score. Montini quarterback Tom DiCristina finally did on a 1-yard run at 3:38 of the second quarter. A 25-yard Warren field goal made it 7-3 at halftime.

DiCristina added a second 1-yard run for a 14-3 lead at 8:06 of the third quarter. Later, he spearheaded a 75-yard drive to bury Driscoll at its own 5-yard line with 1:24 to play. Grant Goebel's interception ended any threat.

"I have faith in my line," said DiCristina, who carried 24 times for 98 yards. "I'd run behind them all day if I could."