Benet shows signs of improvement
But it's not enough to overcome high-powered Montini offense
If after watching his team lose 40-0 in Aug. 25's season-opener, Benet coach Gary Goforth wanted to see some improvement from the Redwings in their game Aug. 31 against Montini, his team certainly obliged.
But if he wanted to see Benet win - or score some points, for that matter - he'll have to wait at least another week.
Despite playing a much better game, the scoreboard read more or less the same as the Redwings fell 33-0 to a patient and potent team from Montini at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex.
"We played a lot better than last week, I firmly believe that," Goforth said. "We had our chances to keep it close, but if we don't score points we're not going to win any ballgames."
Montini quarterback Tommy DiCristina completed 23 of 33 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns, and also ran for another score. He picked apart the Redwings (0-2) underneath, connecting on an array of swing passes, screens, and slants for just enough yards to keep the chains moving. The Broncos converted an astounding 16 of 19 third downs, as the Benet defense just could not get itself off the field.
"Usually we throw deep, but since they were playing man-to-man coverage we had to hit the short passes in order to lick them all the way down the field," DiCristina said.
Looking to avenge last season's 35-21 loss, Montini (2-0) took the opening kickoff and drove 55 yards in 14 plays. The Benet defense had actually stiffened after 11 plays, forcing a field goal attempt on a fourth-and-4 from the 8-yard line. But the Redwings jumped offsides to give Montini a first down, and three plays later DiCristina scored from a yard out.
Getting the ball for the first time with 5:46 left in the opening quarter, Benet countered with a long drive of its own. Helped along by a pair of Broncos personal fouls, the Redwings moved from their 20 to the Montini 16, with John Paul Payne's 25-yard completion to Nick Christie providing a bulk of the yardage. But the drive ended when Benet failed to convert a fourth-down fake field goal.
Montini then marched 84 yards in 16 plays in 6:28, with DiCristina finding Brian Zirko in the end zone on a third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, giving the Broncos a 13-0 lead.
The Redwings ended the half still trailing by 13, but were close statistically. They had picked up seven first downs to Montini's nine, and were only outgained 114-84.
In the second half, the Broncos continued to pile on the points. The Benet offense, meanwhile, stalled as Payne tried to rally the Redwings, with the senior throwing three interceptions after halftime.
"They're a good football club, and you can't make a mistake against them," Goforth said.
One of the few bright spots for Benet was the play of defensive end Pete Schimeck. Schimeck spent most of the night in the Broncos backfield, and finished with a two sacks and a pair of tackles for a loss.
The 0-2 start puts Benet's postseason hopes in serious jeopardy.
"Now we've got to win five conference games," said Goforth, whose team opens the East Suburban Catholic Conference season Sept. 8 at Nazareth. "I can't remember the last time we went 5-2 in conference. That's a tall order."
Contact Dan Stark at dstark@scn1.com or 630-416-5287.
