Chris Catino called it “window dressing,” the dastardly and devious defensive schemes that Maine South sprung on St. Patrick in a Class 8A playoff opener Saturday.
Five fumbles, seven sacks and one interception later, Maine South had put the finishing touches on a 43-0 victory in Park Ridge that set up next Saturday’s showdown with Warren.
This certainly wasn’t St. Patrick’s day as the Shamrocks finished with minus-9 yards of total offense. Their 2,000-yard passer, Tom Barrett, could only muster 43 yards through the air, while running backs Mike Lupa and Dan O’Donnell combined to rush for 14 yards.
In the meantime, the sacks and fumbles cost St. Pat (6-4) a total of 66 yards. Until the final three minutes, Maine South (9-1) had limited St. Patrick to one first down.
“We gave them looks we haven’t used all season, lining up in different ways and pass-rushing with different guys,” said Catino, who had two fumble recoveries. “We were blitzing and making sacks all over the place, and they had no idea what was going on.
“Our defensive line did a great job. We were trying to get pressure, but we didn’t know it would work this well.”
Adam Fee, Adam Blandin and Dan Rogers each had a pair of sacks, with Brian Bransen registering No. 7.
Catino, Fee, Garrett Hancock and Jimmy Coy pounced on fumbles after their teammates administered punishing hits. Coy returned his 25 yards for a touchdown.
“We were really fired up and took this game personally because of the reputation Catholic schools have as physical players,” Catino said. “Everyone always says they are the hardest hitters.”
Converting turnovers into touchdowns was the job of Hawks quarterback Tyler Knight, who ran for a 26-yard score and hooked up on TD passes with Fee for 9 yards and Anthony Borsellino for 7 yards.
Knight also kicked field goals of 50, 24 and 19 yards.
“To tell you the truth, I didn’t think I was going to make the 50-yarder,” said Knight, whose career best was 48 yards as a sophomore. “But I hit it with just enough distance.”
Next week Maine South will be without running back/cornerback Jake Bachmeier, who strained a medial collateral ligament. He’ll be out at least two weeks.
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bsakamoto@tribune.com
