Change of offense catapults Redwings

Switch to I-formation does the trick

WESTCHESTER -- Following a back-and-forth first half Saturday at St. Joseph, Benet running back E.J. Howe smiled when the Redwings switched up their offense to open the third quarter.

Normally a team that runs the ubiquitous spread offense, Benet came out in the I-formation and used a pair of sustained drives -- capped by Howe touchdown runs -- on its first two possessions of the second half for a 36-24 road win.

"We saw what we could get done in the I-formation and that we could pound them," Howe said. "We have a bunch of big guys up front, and we tried to use it to our advantage."

The strategy also allowed the Redwings (2-1, 1-0 East Suburban Catholic) to keep the ball out of the hands of Chargers quarterback Cameron Meredith, who threw for 303 yards and a pair of long touchdowns that kept his team in front throughout much of the first half. Meredith also scored the game's final touchdown on a 4-yard scramble in the fourth quarter.

Running the ball also helped open passing lanes for Benet quarterback Luke Terna. The senior finished with 241 yards and threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Flood that gave the visitors the lead for good 39 seconds before halftime.

Flood (three catches, 81 yards), Connor Nelligan (three for 67 yards) and Howe (three for 62 yards) were Terna's top targets during the afternoon, but arguably Howe's biggest play Saturday wasn't on offense.

With his team trailing 14-6 after Meredith's 57-yard touchdown pass to Ladell Nance, the Benet running back responded by returning the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a score.

Howe also finished with a team-best 76 yards on 19 carries and had another touchdown run in the second half called back on a holding penalty. Mike Kamykowski also ran for a 5-yard score in the first half.