Immaculate Conception cruises to victory

Immaculate Conception delivered with 1988 graduate and new Chicago Rush coach Bob McMillen in attendance on homecoming.

Immaculate Conception (4-2, 2-1 Suburban Christian Conference Gold Division) cruised to a 42-14 win over Aurora Central Catholic (2-4, 1-2) despite committing 11 penalties for more than 100 yards.

"I think the penalties were the only think that held us back today," said Immaculate Conception coach Mike Alberts.

In the game's opening drive Aurora Central Catholic drove nearly the entire length of the field and took six minutes off the clock. The drive ended on a Chargers fumble and the Knights took over at their own 15.

Immaculate Conception's offense faced a third-and-long from inside its own 10-yard line when senior Jose Godinez broke free 76 yards into Aurora Central Catholic territory. One play later Connor Hendricks rumbled 20 yards for the game's first touchdown.

"Jose's been our horse all year. He's the rock we lean on," Alberts said. "He's very consistent."

Aurora Central Catholic was a perfect 4-for-4 on fourth -down efficiency and had the edge in the time of possession battle. The only problem for the Chargers was their inability to prevent big plays.

After a Chargers touchdown in the second quarter, Hendricks ran the kickoff back 85 yards to put his squad up 14-7.

"The holes were as big as the field for me. It was ridiculous," Hendricks said. "I knew I could always cut back if I wanted to."

Despite allowing a whopping 10 first downs in the first half, the Knights forced their first three-and-out after Hendricks' kickoff return touchdown. The Immaculate Conception defense settled down the rest of the game.

It was all Knights in the second half.

Godinez broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run on the first Immaculate possession of the third quarter. Hendricks recorded his second touchdown late in the third quarter to increase the Knights' advantage to three scores.

The final Chargers touchdown came off a drive that was kept afloat by a bevy of penalties committed by Immaculate Conception.

The Knights sealed the victory after Daniel Vatch's 25-yard fake punt with five minutes left in the game. The Chargers extended the lead to 35-14 shortly after Vatch's fake when quarterback Cody Kotlow rushed 8 yards for the score.

Vatch ended the game strong for Immaculate Conception at backup quarterback by rushing for a 40-yard touchdown.