During the preseason, Fenwick football coach Gene Nudo talked about the defense as his team’s greatest returning strength. With essentially the entire starting lineup back in the fold after a successful 2013 campaign, his assertion made sense.
“We’re going to lean on our defense out of the gates,” Nudo said back in August. “We’re not big but we’ve got guys that can fly around.”
While the defense performed erratically during the regular season, the opening round of the playoffs proved entirely different.
The Friars had six interceptions against quarterback Sam Nevers and dominated the action during Saturday’s 17-10 win over host Highland Park in a first-round game of the Class 7A playoffs.
“We needed everything that we could get out of our defense tonight,” Nudo said. “Blocking that field goal [by defensive lineman Harry Bell] was huge, and there were a lot of other individual plays that made for a great game.”
Cornerback Aaron Garland’s timely interception late in the game served perhaps as the Friars’ signature play of the game.
With the game tied at 10-10 with 3:22 left in the fourth quarter, Garland returned an interception 64 yards to the Giants’ 1-yard line. Senior running back Pat Donahue cashed in the scoring opportunity with a push into the end zone to secure the Friars’ 17-10 victory.
“It happened so fast,” said Garland, who will play football at UConn next season. “I saw [Nevers] release it and I was able to take it and make a good return.”
Scott Stibich (nine tackles, two interceptions), Brett Moorman (two interceptions), Garland (five tackles, interception) and Harry Bell (sack, blocked field goal) fueled a strong collective effort from the defense. Michael Krecek, who led the Friars in tackles during the regular season, contributed four tackles and Ryan Pierson also had an interception.
“I have to thank [defensive coordinator] Titcus Pettigrew and Coach Nudo for putting together a great game plan,” Garland said. “Our plan was to come out and take the ball away from them, keep them off the field, stop the run and do our job in the secondary.”
Offensively, Donahue ran 23 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns and Mike Cahill kicked a 25-yard field goal. Wide receiver Casey O’Laughlin had four catches for 48 yards.
At quarterback, Fenwick went with a “by committee approach” with senior Sean Moorman starting under center and junior reserve Gavin Graves also seeing playing time.
Jack Beneventi, the Friars’ usual starting quarterback who has committed to Iowa, didn’t play. Beneventi struggled in the Friars’ final two games of the regular season (losses to Montini, St. Francis) with a stat line of: 14-for-41 passing, 118 yards, four interceptions, no touchdowns.
“It’s something internally,” Nudo said about the reason for Beneventi’s benching. “Jack is a wonderful kid, we love him. [Moorman and Graves] have been with us all year and have been working hard all year. We thought this was the way to go. They both bring a little something different to the table.”
Collectively, the two quarterbacks went 6-for-14 for 87 yards with no touchdown passes and an interception by Graves.
The Friars’ win signaled the end of Highland Park head coach Hal Chiodo’s career. The Giants finished 9-1 and won the Central Suburban League North to record the best season in the program’s history. Highland Park was the second seed while Fenwick is 15th in the Class 7A bracket.
“Highland Park is very deserving to have been an undefeated team coming into this game,” Nudo said. “We have a lot of respect for them.”
Fenwick (6-4) remains on the road with second round game next week at Carmel (time/date TBD).
The Friars defeated the Corsairs 31-20 during the second week of the regular season. In the teams’ previous meeting, Beneventi completed 13 of 25 passes for 151 yards and a TD, while Donahue finished with 123 yards rushing on 30 carries.
-Marty Farmer contributed to this story
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