St. Viator makes a point
St. Viator quarterback Julian Sipiora knew its East Suburban Catholic Conference football opener with St. Patrick was more than just big. The Lions had something to prove Friday night.
"We wanted to make a statement," said Siporia. "We wanted to get people on the bandwagon and we had to show them what we could do. This was just a great effort by the team."
Sipiora led the offensive show in completing 9-of-15 passes for 136 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Lions' drubbing of the Shamrocks 52-14 at Forest View in Arlington Heights.
The defense chipped in by forcing six St.Patrick (2-1, 0-1) turnovers.
Three of the miscues came in the third quarter, which the Lions (3-0, 1-0) turned into scores to lead 45-7 heading into next Friday's visit to Joliet Catholic.
St. Viator went up 7-0 with 2:59 left in the first quarter when Sipiora hit Richard McLoughlin with a 28-yard pass for the first of 2 touchdown catches.
With 53 seconds left in the quarter, sophomore Joe Yeurgas (8 carries, 101 yards) cut through the Shamrocksdefense for an 85-yard run and a 14-0 lead.
St. Patrick's Ruben Ibarra scored the first of his 2 touchdowns on a 12-yard burst to cut the lead to 14-7 with 10:58 left in the half. His other touchdown was on a 4-yard run.
Sipiora led the Lions down the field and connected with Jake Mastrangeli on a 39-yard touchdown reception three minutes later for a 21-7 lead.
John Sandmeier, who kicked 7 extra points, booted a 24-yard field goal for a 24-7 lead set up by Frank Laterza's interception.
The Shamrocks appeared to score with 15 seconds left in the half but while crossing the goal line, Ibarra was stripped of the ball and Michael Krzoska recovered in the end zone.
"That was huge," said Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick. "Had they scored, were up 10 but then they get the ball to start the second half. We were able to keep the momentum.
"What I was proud about was that we had to match them physically and we did. In this conference you have to be able to go toe-to-toe ech week.
"This was also the best game that Julian had had in his two years. He's coming into his own."
Sipiora fired touchdown passes of 9 yards to McLoughlin and 15 yards to Nick Frett following two turnovers early in the third quarter.
Linebacker Jack Etchingham got into the act by recovering a fumble and racing 53 yards for the 45-7 lead with 3:02 left in the quarter.
Viator finished with 200 yards of rushing offense. St. Patrick, led by Charlie Doyle's 145 yards in 19 carries, picked up 215 of its 235 yards on the ground.