Only 34 seconds into last night’s match versus the Amundsen Vikings, at Gary Little Stadium, it was over and the Crusaders were on their way to a win. They took the lead early and coasted to a 42-12 triumph over Amundsen.
The greatest way to secure a lead in a football game is to jump on your opponent early, not allowing them to have a fighter’s chance, and Brother Rice did exactly that. They received the ball to start the game, and on the second play of the game, junior running back Martez Walker exploded for a 69 yard touchdown run. On the following play, the Crusaders, then on defense, forced a fumble recovered by sophomore lineman Brian Craft. These two plays told the tale of the entire game: the offense had many electrifying plays and the defense forced turnover after turnover.
Brother Rice added two more touchdown scoring drives in the first quarter, pushing their lead to 21-0. The second of the three scores, came half way through the quarter, when senior fullback JaRon Hill scored his first of two touchdowns with a twelve yard push into the end zone. The next scoring drive was fueled by two passes and catches from junior quarterback Pat Parrilli to senior receivers Bill McGivern, who leaped to haul in his 35 yard reception, and Paul Ruppert, and concluded with a four yard touchdown pass to Martez Walker.
The football arcade game continued in the second quarter with the fourth score when, Parrilli, smoothly rolling out of the pocket fired a pass to a wide open Ruppert, who then ran it in for a touchdown making it a 78 yard pass and catch. On the following offensive possession, Hill again found the end zone, this time a six yard handoff, which did not come easily. On the carry, Hill looked more like a pinball than a football player, bouncing off several defenders before reaching the goal line, “I kept my legs churning, like coach preached all week, and thanks to my linemen they made a big hole for me to go through,” said JaRon about the touchdown.
The season, so far, has been rewarding for Hill, who came to Brother Rice last fall from Seton Academy. He already has four rushing touchdowns this season and is very humble about his statistics, “I credit all my touchdowns to my o-line.” The offense was not the only side of the ball that had shining moments; it was also the defense, which came up with several key takeaways.
The first three offensive possessions for Amundsen all resulted in turnovers and this would not have been possible if it weren’t for Brother Rice’s tough and unrelenting defensive play. Two out of the three were fumbles, with the second being recovered by senior linebacker Ralph Peyton. The third turnover, however, was an interception by Dan Lyons, who in Amundsen territory caught a deflected Vikings pass. The fourth and final turnover of the game came at the end of the first half, when Cody Stull continued his early season success, with a 75 yard interception return that he sprinted all the way to the end zone. The defense not only created turnovers, but also played precise run defense, consistently tackling the opposing ball carrier in the back field.
The secondary was a key part in that effort, stepping up with solid defensive run support. Senior John Janiga played his defensive back position nearly perfect, due to his textbook tackles and the crunching hit he had on the Vikings running back in the open field. Another contributor to the defensive effort, last night, was senior linebacker and captain Bryce Paul, who was in on several tackles and also distributed a few a licks on the running back. All eleven defensive starters contributed to this victory and continue to personify the traditions of a Brother Rice defense.
The real season for the Crusaders begins next Saturday, September 11, 7:30 p.m., at Gary Little Stadium, against rival St. Rita (1-0), which signifies the start of Catholic League Blue play. Sure, the first two opponents for the Brother Rice football team were not as strong as the ones they will face in the next two games, but they have shown in these two games glimpses of a dangerous offense and a stifling defense, assuring themselves that they do have what it takes to make a splash in the Catholic League Blue.
