IC Catholic Prep claims conference title, bye week with shutout of Joliet Catholic
Final score: IC Catholic Prep 6, Joliet Catholic Academy 0
Records: IC Catholic Prep improved to 8-1 and 3-0 in the CCL White; Joliet Catholic dropped to 5-4, 2-1
Player of the game: IC Catholic Prep quarterback Nate Lang orchestrated the Knights offense, highlighted by a game-winning 93-yard touchdown pass to Jakobe Baldwin in the first quarter.
Other statistical leaders: IC’s Will Schmidt secured two big interceptions, and Jaden Penna sealed the victory with a late interception in the fourth quarter. Grant Bowen also added a key fourth-quarter sack. While Hilltoppers quarterback Liam Huffman set the tempo for Joliet’s passing game, finding running back Da'Sani Smart on multiple receptions. Defensive back Colin Stuckwisch also recorded a first-quarter interception, and defensive lineman Parker Toole added a sack.
Turning point: Late in the first quarter with the game scoreless, IC Catholic Prep Lang hit Baldwin on a 93-yard touchdown strike. That single explosive play provided all the scoring of the game as the Knights defense held firm the rest of the night.
First-half highlights: Joliet Catholic drove into IC Catholic territory on its opening drive, but a 40-yard field goal attempt missed wide. After Stuckwisch picked off a pass for the Hilltoppers, IC Catholic's defense held firm on fourth down at the 10-yard line. On the very next play, Lang found Baldwin for the 93-yard touchdown to make it 6-0. Late in the second quarter, IC Catholic defensive back Schmidt picked off a Joliet Catholic pass near the end zone to maintain the halftime lead.
Second-half highlights: Both defenses dominated after halftime. In the fourth quarter, Schmidt grabbed his second interception to thwart a Hilltoppers drive. With 10 seconds remaining, Penna secured IC Catholic's third interception to secure the shutout victory.
X-factor: IC Catholic Prep’s keen positioning in intercepting three Joliet Catholic passes.
Quote: “It was our goal to get the bye week, just to make sure that we win and get ourselves a good spot,” said IC Catholic Prep coach Bill Krefft. “I thought our team played hard. That's a really good football team over there, all the credit in the world to them. How hard is it to keep a team to zero? When the offense is biting and clawing, I thought we moved the ball really well; sometimes we just didn't put it in all the way. But I can't thank our seniors enough for what they gave us for the last four years. I hope they know that win is a credit to them and what they've done.”