Addison Trail slips past Hinsdale South
Addison Trail coach Paul Parpet was honored before the game for his many years as the Blazers coach in his final season. His players rewarded him with their first victory of the season.
Senior quarterback Anthony Catanese plunged into the end zone for the tying touchdown with 5:53 left in the contest and kicker Jack Andrews booted the go-ahead extra point as the Blazers eked by Hinsdale South 14-13 Friday evening in the West Suburban Gold opener for both teams.
"We have great senior leadership," Parpet said. "I thought our staff did a great job and it was our senior leadership today that got us through."
But it wasn't easy. Hinsdale South (0-3, 0-1) scored first with a 34-yard reverse pass that saw senior receiver Garrett Vanhal hit junior Nick Sarocco with a strike on a fourth-and-7. The Hornets followed an interception by junior Ryan Johnson in the second quarter with a 6-play, 55-yard drive that increased their lead to 13-0. The extra point failed, and Addison Trail took over.
"(Missing the extra point) hurt our momentum," said Hinsdale coach Alex Bitto.
Addison Trail (1-2, 1-0) marched down the field, wrapping up a 12-play, 73-yard drive with only 18 seconds left in the first half. Junior running back Anthony Beltrano punched through the line on a crucial fourth-and-3 on the Hornet 13-yard line to keep the drive alive. Bitto attributed the late score as a momentum swing for the Blazers.
"I sensed that we had momentum, and that score in the end was a little bit frustrating," Bitto said. "But the attitude in the locker room was positive."
The third quarter was a scoreless, defensive battle, but Addison Trail seized control of the game with a 13-play scoring drive that burned over six minutes off the clock in the final quarter. In total the Blazers had possession for all but 1:28 in the fourth quarter.
"Isn't that what you're supposed to do?" Parpet replied when asked about the time of possession. "That's exactly what you're supposed to do, just to wear down the opponent."