Big plays rocket Benet past Lions

Benet wide receiver Dylan Flood (81) waits in the end zone for his teammates (from left) Patrick Gillespie (28), Connor Nelligan (10) and quarterback Luke Terna (9), after catching a Terna pass and taking it 74 yards for a touchdown against St. Viator Friday.
(Jon Cunningham/For The Sun)

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LISLE -- Benet put it all together against St. Viator.

The Redwings manhandled the Lions 24-0 on Friday night on a soggy Benedictine University field.

"We thought we were a better team than we've shown the past few weeks," Benet coach Gary Goforth said. "Win or lose, all I wanted was the kids to execute tonight and we did that for 48 minutes. I am just happy. It was a complete and a total team effort."

The Redwings stung the Lions for long scoring plays early in each half of this East Suburban Catholic Conference contest.

Benet quarterback Luke Terna connected with receiver Dylan Flood for a 94-yard touchdown on a third-and-20 play on the Redwings' first possession. Connor Miller's extra point made it 7-0 not even three minutes into the game.

Goforth said the Terna-to-Flood scoring pass could be a school record.

Benet led 10-0 at halftime and received the second-half kickoff.

The Redwings (3-3, 2-2 ESCC) needed two plays to cover 60 yards to increase their lead. Running back E.J. Howe raced 49 yards for a touchdown on Benet's second offensive play of the second half to make it 17-0.

"Coming out both halves we wanted to make big plays and we did," said Howe, who had 16 carries for 113 yards. "When you score like that, it takes its toll on the opposition."

Terna capped the scoring when he raced 14 yards into the end zone on a fourth-and-short play in the early moments of the fourth quarter.

Terna completed seven of nine passes for 146 yards with two touchdowns – one running and one passing.

While the offense maintained a steady running game and sprinkled in some passes, the Benet defense kept an opponent from scoring for the first time since last season, when the Redwings blanked St. Joseph.

Benet did a nice job containing St. Viator quarterback Julian Sipiora, who completed 13 of 28 passes for 162 yards with one interception. Sipiora also had 25 rushes for 114 yards.

The Lions (3-3, 1-3) were able to move the ball as indicated by the 289 yards of offense they amassed. But when St. Viator managed to get inside the Benet 30, the Redwings either forced a turnover or stopped the Lions on downs.

"They completed some passes here and there, but when they got close to the goal line everyone just shut it down," said Benet defensive lineman Nick Melka, who had a sack and harassed Sipiora throughout the night.

The Redwings also welcomed back linebacker Phil Schmidt, who had been out with an injury the past few weeks. Schmidt intercepted Sipiora when the Lions were inside the Benet 20 late in the first quarter.

"It was nice to have him back because he means a lot to our defense," Goforth said. "We need his fire."

Benet now turns its attention to Joliet Catholic. The Redwings travel to play the Hilltoppers next week. Benet can be encouraged by their latest outcome because St. Viator only lost 31-28 to Joliet Catholic two weeks ago.

"We can be good, but if we go down next week and lay an egg against Joliet Catholic this game doesn't really mean much to us," Goforth said. "We have to build on it."