Montini shuts out DePaul Prep

Montini is back on track after a slow start this football season.

Last year's Class 6A champion defeated the injury-plagued DePaul Prep Rams 39-0 in a Chicago Catholic League crossover game on Friday afternoon in Chicago.

"I feel very good about where we are at. We have to get a couple of guys healthy," said Broncos coach Chris Andriano. "But the team right now is responding to some situations and challenges. I like where our heads are at. We have two games to go and go for the playoffs."

The Broncos (4-3, 2-1) employed a quarterback-by-committee system with Matthew Morrissey, Nicholas Orlando and Brad Norgle. The trio combined to score 4 touchdowns through the air. Morrissey had 2, to Christian Pirog and Brandon Shilgalis. Orlando had 1 to Pirog, and Norgle to Alex Luka.

The Broncos' two best running backs, Prince Walker and Will Smith Jr., were out with injuries. Walker has a torn left quad and may be lost for the season. However, Andriano hopes he could return for the playoffs.

"Obviously, Prince and Will are great contributors to our team, but as guys fall, the next man has to step up," said running back Jake Karczewski, who ran for 77 yards on 9 carries. "That's the mindset that has been going around the team."

The Rams (2-5, 0-1) could not solve the Broncos' defense, gaining only 48 yards on the ground for the game. Quarterback Antonio Mosier had to rely on the passing game, but the Broncos held the air attack to 73 yards.

"Our kids played hard, they are Ram-tough," said Rams coach Bill Jeske. "They lived up to the tradition to never quit. I was real proud of the effort. Montini is Montini for a reason. They played well and are well-coached."

The Broncos' defense pressed the Rams for two safeties, and Matthew Quaglia ran for 3 yards and a touchdown to complete the scoring.

Andriano had a chance to get all his players on the field for the game.

"Our young kids, backup guys and special teams did a good job," Andriano said. "We were solid all the way through."

With two games remaining the Broncos need one win to become eligible for the playoffs. They should have enough playoff points to gain a playoff berth with five wins.

"Our work ethic in practice is to take each week as a steppingstone to get better and we try to improve in practice every day and keep working hard," Karczewski said.