Benet finds burst of energy at right time

Something was clearly missing for almost three quarters Friday night for Benet, as the energy level seemed a little low and scoring opportunities were not panning out.

Then came one huge play by the defense - a pick-six by safety Mac Cooney - and all of a sudden what was a 7-7 tie late in the third turned into a 28-7 Redwings victory over visiting St. Patrick.

Benet (4-0, 2-0) had just missed its second field-goal attempt and the Shamrocks and dangerous quarterback Zachary Fuller seemed poised to capitalize.

But when Redwings defensive back Jack Brown tipped a Fuller pass late in the third quarter and the ball landed in Cooney's hands, the game and the energy level at Benedictine University were about to change drastically.

Cooney picked off the pass on the left side of the field just inside the St. Patrick 40-yard line. The senior then cut back to the right side, shook free of three would-be tacklers and made his way into the end zone for a dazzling 39-yard return that made the score 14-7.

"We had no energy at all all the way through the first half," Cooney said. "Finally once that happened our energy just skyrocketed. The sideline was jumping up and down. They were just happy and it started to become fun. It wasn't a chore anymore and it was fun being out there."

With renewed energy carrying into the fourth quarter, Benet scored on consecutive passes by Jack Sznajder in the fourth quarter to pull away to the East Suburban Catholic Conference win. First, following a short St. Patrick punt, Charlie Sandor hauled in a 6-yard touchdown pass, then moments later Colin Brahler shot past the Shamrock defense for an 82-yard score that made the final 28-7.

"We came through some adversity at the beginning but Mac's pick-six was really big," the Redwings quarterback said. "That gave us a lot of momentum. We just used that to pull through the game."

Benet coach Pat New, who has opened the year 4-0 two straight seasons, will not soon forget Cooney's interception and the ensuing runback.

"Mac's touchdown was such an awesome play. I haven't been that excited in a couple years," New said. "It was great to see. And that's the type of play that really ignites a team. It just opened things up for us."

The Benet defense, which blanked Notre Dame last week, held tight against Fuller and his tall targets. Fuller was pressured much of the night and finished 12 of 27 for 108 yards with 1 touchdown and the 1 very big interception.

"The secondary has been playing great ball lately and I'm proud of those guys the way they stepped up," New said. "This quarterback can really sling it. He's got a great arm and some really big receivers. They're huge. But our defense was great tonight."