Redwings find 'great way to go out'

Chris O'Hara, center, sweeps up after lunch in the gymnasium-turned-cafeteria while students around him pack up for class Thursday at Benet Academy in Lisle. In June, Benet began an expansion and renovation project that required the demolition of the old cafeteria.
Danielle Gardner / Staff photographer

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LISLE -- For the second consecutive game, Benet's offense could muster only a Kevin Kron field goal.

But unlike in last week's 34-3 loss to Marian Catholic, the three points were all the Redwings defense needed, as the unit put together an inspired, four-interception effort to shut out Notre Dame 3-0 at the Lisle-Benedictine Sports Complex.

"I don't know, it was just something in the air, we just came out and pitched a shutout," said senior Emmett Carrier, who had two of the Redwings' interceptions. "It's awesome. It's a good way to go out."

The Dons came into the East Suburban Catholic Conference game averaging a shade under 30 points per contest, while Benet was giving up 33. The Redwings hadn't allowed fewer than 20 points in any game all season, and then proceeded to blank Notre Dame in the finale of what has been a disappointing and trying season. Benet (3-6, 3-4 ESCC) began the year hoping to improve on last season's second-round playoff exit. Instead, the Redwings lost their first two games by a combined score of 73-0 and were eliminated from postseason contention by Week 6.

But on Friday, none of that mattered. Benet limited the Dons (6-3, 4-3) to nine first downs and 131 total yards, including just 5 rushing. Despite completing 24 of his 38 passes, Notre Dame quarterback Zach Abraham threw for only 126 yards, as the Redwings swarmed receivers and made textbook open-field tackles.

Senior linebacker Jim East had a sack on a first-quarter third-and-1 play to stop one Dons drive, an interception to end another, and a fourth-down tackle for a 10-yard loss on Notre Dame's final possession to seal the win.

"The seniors wanted to leave on a good note, so we came out firing," East said. "On defense, we just came out and gave it our all. We just wanted to rock the world."

Kron's field goal - from 31 yards out with 25.9 seconds remaining in the second quarter - was set up by senior Jason Wirth's interception. The four Redwings picks were twice as many as they had in their first eight games combined.

Despite getting blown out in the home opener and the less-than-stellar overall record, Benet finished 3-1 on the Lisle-Benedictine turf. The shutout was the Redwings' first since 2005, when they blasted St. Joseph 37-0 in that season's finale.

Afterward, senior defensive end Pete Schimeck, who recorded a sack and spent most of the night in Abraham's face, lingered on the field for a few extra moments.

"It was a long three years on varsity, a lot of memories out here," he said. "It feels good. It's a great way to go out."