Redwings feel brunt of Oswego storm

Panthers take control in second quarter of opener

OSWEGO -- "Saturday Night Lights."

It doesn't quite have the same ring to it as the popular book, movie, and television show based on Friday night high school football action. And don't expect Benet football coach Gary Goforth to warm up to the concept any time soon.

After fears of severe weather forced the postponement of the Redwings season opener on Friday, the team traveled to Oswego Saturday night and got shutout by the Panthers, 40-0.

"I thought we'd be a lot better," Goforth said. "Offensively, we were flat, and defensively we didn't execute."

Tim Riley scored two second quarter touchdowns - and set up a third with a 33-yard reception - as Oswego broke open a scoreless game to take a 21-0 halftime lead. Riley finished with 12 carries for 65 yards, and also added a touchdown reception. Quarterback Cam Quackenbush threw a pair of touchdown passes and also rushed for a score.

With the defeat, Benet has now been pasted by the Panthers in consecutive season openers, following last year's 31-12 loss. And just like last time, this one began well for the Redwings, as their defense forced a fumble recovered by junior linebacker Dan Schroeder on Oswego's first play from scrimmage.

Taking over at their own 48, Benet lost four yards on consecutive plays to set up a third-and-18. Quarterback John Paul Payne lofted up a pass towards the far sideline, and senior Ben Manconi ran underneath it for a 34-yard gain. But the Redwings would net just 10 yards the rest of the half.

Oswego, meanwhile was having little trouble moving the ball, but kept coming up empty. The Panthers 11-play drive at the end of the first quarter resulted in no points when Benet senior Jason Wirth batted down a fourth-down Quackenbush pass.

Oswego finally broke through with 8:00 remaining in the second quarter, when Riley corkscrewed into the end zone from 9 yards out. When the junior added another score just 2:44 later, the Panthers led 14-0.

After the Oswego defense forced a three-and-out, Quackenbush capped a seven-play drive with a 9-yard scoring run. The key play was the 33-yard completion to a wide-open Riley on third-and-3.

The third quarter was more of the same for Benet. Its offense did not pick up a first down and was held to minus-5 yards, while the Panthers added scores on Riley's 9-yard reception and a 15-yard Quackenbush pass to Marty Resner.

Ahead 34-0, first-year Oswego coach Dave Keely mercifully pulled his starters midway through the third. Quackenbush finished 11-for-15 for 150 yards and the two scores. Panthers backup Adam Brooking closed the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

For the game, the Redwings were held to three first downs and were outgained 356-67. Their leading rusher was senior fullback Dan McGue, with 11 yards on four carries. Payne finished 3-of-12 for 57 yards.

"We always seem to start slowly, and then we build towards the middle and end of the year," said Goforth, whose team hosts Montini Friday. "But with our schedule, we can't start slowly. We cannot afford to go 0-2 going into our conference."

Contact Dan Stark at dstark@scn1.com or 630-416-5287.