Lions show signs of success
As you head toward Joliet's Memorial Stadium on U.S. Highway 52 there is a sign commemorating Joliet Catholic's state-record 13 football championships.
That didn't matter to this group of St. Viator football players which believed they were destined to make history Friday night. Losing the previous 24 meetings didn't matter, either.
The Lions believed this was their time to finally topple the mighty Hilltoppers. And they nearly reached that seemingly unreachable summit before falling agonizingly short 31-28.
But what was lost also resulted in a lot being found out about the Lions. They didn't come here to keep the score close and head back on a long bus ride to Arlington Heights looking at moral victories.
"We didn't really get much respect in our (East Suburban Catholic) conference and we wanted to come down here and beat the best team in it," said Viator's workhorse quarterback Julian Sipiora. "I still think we made a point we are a very good football team."
Sipiora not only scored plenty of points with 3 touchdown runs and a touchdown pass but also by exhibiting everything a coach wants in a leader. His 69-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 24-21 was one for the highlight reels.
At least three Joliet Catholic defenders had him pinned for a big loss. Seconds later they were stunned as they watched Sipiora race down the left sideline in Tommy Zbikowski-esque fashion.
"Julian made some incredible plays," said Viator coach Chris Kirkpatrick.
"This quarterback almost singlehandedly beat us," said Joliet Catholic coach Dan Sharp after Sipiora accounted for 365 yards of total offense. "This guy was unbelievable."
Unbelievably tough, too. As Sipiora was stuffed at the line of scrimmage on Viator's next possession he got blasted so hard his helmet went flying to the turf.
Sipiora also was knocked face down on the turf for a few minutes he called "scary." He missed exactly one play - and probably only because it's mandated by the rules.
"I couldn't be more proud of Julian," said Viator senior linebacker Matt Barry of one of his closest friends. "Everyone looks up to him and the whole offensive line looks to Julian.
"He's really developed so much in the past year. Julian is a great player, a great leader and he's everything you need in a quarterback."
Sipiora said his offensive line of Jordan Peart, Matt Cochrane, Anthony Quagliano, Matt O'Keeffe, Aaron Shuff and Andrew Hora "played one of the best games I've seen them play."
The defense also hung tough against the Hilltoppers' dangerous and deceptive double-wing offense which has plenty of speed to burn. Barry, Sean Conerty, Jack Etchingham, Connor Ptacin, Michael Krzoska, Kevin Gannon, Will Tumberger, Anthony Pensa helped lead Joe Brinkman's crew, which gave up 406 yards but hardly gave in when put in tough situations.
"This is definitely a big confidence-booster for our defense," Barry said. "We had only played the first half the past couple of games and this was a big step for us.
"We had to play a full game and really feel like a tough football game was like."
There are more coming, starting with next week's visit by Marist, so there is no time to lament one that got away.
But this was another step - not necessarily backward, either - in continuing to display the confidence Kirkpatrick has instilled in the Lions since last season ended.
"I'm not scared to say we're the better team and they just beat us," Kirkpatrick said.
"If there were any doubters amongst the team, this really proved what we're capable of," Barry said. "It was a completely different attitude than last year (42-13 loss). We fully expected to win the game."
That's a pretty good sign for the Lions.
mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com