Montini takes a chance, wins 5A state championship

CHAMPAIGN - The first thought was, Wow.

"We shocked the world," Montini defensive assistant Joe Consalvo said on the Memorial Stadium turf, still not quite believing what he saw. In the DuPage County football-mad part of the world, he was right.

Christian Westerkamp landed right on the goal line holding Brandon Pechloff's 2-point conversion pass with 32 seconds left in the Class 5A championship game. It gave feisty underdog Montini a 29-28 victory over Joliet Catholic on Saturday.

The conversion pass - an out pattern toward the front left pylon - followed a down-and-out touchdown pass between the two seniors to bring Montini within 28-27 of the Hilltoppers.

Broncos coach Chris Andriano initially sent the kicking team out, then called time before reinserting Pechloff and the offense. Kicker Matt Kersten was a "decoy," said Andriano, who all week had imagined this scenario.

"We were going for 2, we were going for the win all the way. That's the only way to beat a great team like that," the Hall of Fame coach said.

"This is the biggest win that we've ever had in our history. This is the biggest one. It's been on the biggest stage." said Andriano, whose 10-4 Broncos joined 2008 Immaculate Conception as the only four-loss champs in state history.

"We got a second chance and we made the most of the second chance," he said. "Second chances in life, if you take advantage of them, it feels pretty good. This is the game I've been waiting my whole career for."

Andriano, who now can replace his sweat-stained 2004 Class 4A title hat, wasn't alone.

"I've been waiting 12 years for that," said a choked-up Pechloff, the lefty all-stater who rallied from 2 first-quarter interceptions that helped Joliet Catholic (11-3) take a 14-0 lead.

"Twelve years to get in this game, 12 years playing football, on- and off-seasons, and to finally get here and play a game like this," Pechloff said.

"To go from having a bad first half to the second half, getting the game-winning touchdown, the game-winning 2-point conversion, it's the best feeling I've ever had."

Westerkamp said: "I just tried to give (the defender) an inside move. Brandon was the one who did it all. Brandon's throw was perfect, right on the money."

The conversion play was called "57 Whip."

"It was (going to) either me or my brother," Westerkamp said of his sophomore sibling, Jordan, whose 14-yard bump-and-go route with a Pechloff pass at 1:20 of the second quarter drew Montini even at halftime, 14-14. Stunning.

Joliet Catholic had three backs with at least 96 yards rushing in the game - Malin Jones, Jordan Lyles and Josh Ferguson - but the Hilltoppers lost 3 first-half fumbles.

Off a Hilltoppers punt return, Kevin Hoem's fumble recovery led to a 5-yard touchdown run by Ryan Gorrell.

Montini's Frank Baer quickly recovered another fumble. Pechloff, Jordan Westerkamp and kicker Kersten capitalized with a 64-yard drive and the halftime tie.

"We knew turnovers were going to be big for us this week," Baer said. "They helped us and they killed us at times."

No doubt. Receiving the third-quarter kick, Joliet Catholic zoomed into Montini's red zone but couldn't convert - then took a 20-14 lead four plays later when the Broncos fumbled the ball straight up, into the arms of Joliet Catholic's Zach Dolph, who returned it 41 yards for a touchdown.

Montini bounced right back, 71 yards in 4 plays, to lead 21-20 on Gorrell's second score, a 25-yard draw play at 3:36 of the third quarter.

"It's that burning desire to win," the senior back said of his team's resilience.

Joliet Catholic back Malin Jones also was hot. The 190-pound sophomore paved over two Broncos on an 18-yard touchdown run, his second. Ferguson's conversion run gave the Hilltoppers a 28-21 lead with 10:50 left in the game.

Montini countered with two straight defensive stands. Ross Ferraro, Zech Tredenick, Nick Campanella, Kevin Dailey and Zirko all made physical plays in a sequence Joliet Catholic coach Dan Sharp felt made the difference.

"We needed to get a first down there, keep that clock running and not get their powerful offense on the field and put our defense in jeopardy. And we were unable to do that," said Sharp, held shy of his seventh title in Joliet.

Montini was able, starting with Campanella's 36-yard run on the Broncos' victorious 9-play, 83-yard drive.

"I think I might be the first person to ever win state at two different schools. Rival schools, too," said the senior transfer, a 2007 champion while at Driscoll.

This title? Certainly more shocking.

"Miracles happen," said Ferraro, Montini's only returning starter on the defensive line when this all began in August.

"Miracles come true," he said.