Carmel ices Benet as Bitto gets win No. 100
Carmel coach Andy Bitto didn't tell anyone he was trying for his 100th career victory Friday night.
Still, the secret apparently got out. His Corsairs first delivered a comfortable win -and then an ice cold Gatorade bath. Twice.
"I tried to dodge the first one," Bitto joked.
Sophomore running back Jordan Kos rushed for 113 yards and 3 touchdowns while quarterback Brian Serio added 2 touchdowns through the air as the Corsairs cruised to a 46-7 victory over Benet in a Suburban Catholic Conference clash at the Lisle-Benedictine Sports Complex.
After Benet fumbled a punt, the Corsairs capitalized quickly with a 4-play touchdown drive capped by a Kos 11-yard run. The teams traded possessions for the rest of the first quarter before Benet recorded its touchdown on a 9-play, 57-yard drive that evened the contest at 7-7. It was the closest Benet would get.
Carmel responded with a 13 play, 75-yard drive that culminated with a 5-yard Serio touchdown pass. The drive chewed up over four a half minutes and left Benet trailing with only 25 seconds remaining in the half.
"I thought Benet played hard and fast in the first two quarters," Bitto said. "We switched it on them in the second half. Once you get the option rolling, it's really hard to defend."
The Corsairs (3-1, 2-0) dominated the Redwings in the second half, scoring both through the air and on the ground, while rolling off 39 consecutive points. Kos capped a 10-play drive with his second touchdown of the game.
After a Benet three and out, Kos collected his third score on a 1-yard plunge, giving the Corsairs a 26-7 advantage. Carmel scored once more in the third on a 45-yard bomb from Serio to senior receiver Matt Felicelli. Felicelli avoided both pass interference and a tackle to scamper the rest of the way into the end zone.
Benet coach Gary Goforth told his team after the game to focus on the first half and use it as a model for the rest of the season. The Redwings (2-2, 1-1) frustrated the Carmel triple option offense for two quarters before faltering in the second half.
"We told them they have to remember the first half," Goforth said. "That's what kind of team we can be. The option can certainly make you tired, and it takes what you give them. It's a methodical offense, and they execute it better than most."