Montini steams past IC
Montini football coach Chris Andriano recalls the days when Immaculate Conception’s late, hall of fame coach Jack Lewis seemingly “turned a switch” to send another disruptive train roaring by the Knights’ field.
“Every five minutes, especially when we’re on offense,” Andriano joked.
Saturday in Elmhurst it was Montini delivering the freight.
Montini scored on its first six possessions extending into the third quarter, adding linebacker Mike Maduko’s 45-yard fumble return score. Pitting the best of the Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division against the best of the Gold, the three-time defending Class 5A champion Montini beat the Knights 49-0.
“We played our best game of the year, in all phases. Everything was clicking today,” Andriano said. “We did a great job up front, we controlled the line of scrimmage. Our whole offensive and defensive fronts played their best game.”
Before Andriano started subbing late in the second quarter up 42-0, with second- and third-teamers in all second half, the offensive line from left was David Sarkan, Tate Briggs, Pat Strzempek, Anthony Ferraro and Phil Kesik. The Broncos’ 4-3 defense was fronted by ends Dylan Thompson and Fred Beaugard, tackles Liam Kennedy and Edgar Ruano.
Through the first half they helped Montini (5-1, 4-0) gain 251 yards to 67 for quarterback Demetrius Carr and IC (4-2, 2-2).
“They’re a great football team,” said Knights coach Bill Krefft. “They’ve got talent all over the place and their kids just perform. They go up and get the ball, and they get off the ball up front. They’re a great football team.”
Derrick Curry’s 48-yard punt return set Montini’s tone. Quarterback Alex Wills proceeded to complete all 8 first-quarter passes, with touchdowns to Joey Borsellino and Mike Dusek.
“They had a good defense, we just picked them apart little by little. As an offensive unit we watch a lot of film on them. We find their weaknesses and attack those,” said Wills, who finished 14 of 18 for 164 yards and 4 touchdowns in a half of work.
Wills’ first incompletion came on the first play of the second quarter. The next snap running back Dimitri Taylor took a draw play 39 yards for a touchdown.
Borsellino caught 3 touchdown passes, including a 10-yarder when he dragged from the right to the left flat as three other receivers cleared out coverage. It came two plays after IC’s Adam Muellers looked to have intercepted in the end zone.
Borsellino has a great connection with Montini’s offensive coordinator — his father, Lewis.
“He’s been coaching me since I’ve been in first grade,” Joey said. “I’ve been running this offense since I was in fourth, so I know all the routes.”
IC backs Danny D’Angelo, Joe Iavarone, Sam Antes, Genard Bell and Carr ran the ball hard for 163 yards but no scores.
“We’ve just got to get better,” Iavarone said. “We’re not looking behind us, we’re looking at what’s coming at us and that’s Aurora Christian, so we’re just going to focus on them.”