IC rolls over Walther Lutheran

Immaculate Conception took advantage of 3 first-half turnovers by Walther Lutheran, while on offense, the Knights rushed for 391 yards.

In the end the opportunistic defense along with a versatile ground game was the difference in a 41-6 win for the Knights on Friday at Serpico Field in Melrose Park.

Walther Lutheran turned the ball over on three of its first five possessions, which translated into 14 points for Immaculate Conception.

“The defense came up big tonight, and as soon as we got a couple of turnovers, I knew we had to capitalize on them,” Immaculate Conception quarterback Demetrius Carr said. “Our first drive really set the tone for the game.”

The Knights’ first drive occurred after a fumble on the 1-yard line by Walther Lutheran during the Broncos’ first offensive possession.

Carr then managed an 8-play, 99-yard scoring drive, set up by a 46-yard run by Carr on his team’s first offensive play from scrimmage. Carr ended the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead.

On the Broncos’ next possession Michael Lestina intercepted Walther Lutheran quarterback Joe Lomnicki at the Immaculate Conception 36-yard line, leading to a 12-yard touchdown run by Dan Vatch, putting the Knights up 14-0.

“We try to put as many of our best athletes on defense as we can and we really think we can run with a lot of different offenses,” Immaculate Conception coach Chris VanDyke said. “We preach in practice all the time about getting picks and turning them into scoring opportunities.”

Vatch scored his second touchdown of the game right before halftime, catching a pass from Carr in the flat and then threading through the Broncos defense for 17 yards into the end zone, putting his team up 21-0. The Knights (3-0, 2-0) put the game out of reach on their first possession of the third quarter. In a drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock, Matt Mesnard scored from 4 yards out for a 27-0 lead.

“We wanted to give the defense a break so they would be rested and ready to come in and get another stop for us,” Carr said of the long third-quarter possession.

Carr rushed for 149 yards on the ground and showcased his athletic ability on several plays, according to VanDyke.

“Demetrius showed his athleticism tonight,” VanDyke said. “He made a lot happen by himself, which in the first two games he didn’t need to do that. Tonight, when some of the blocking broke down, he made something happen.”