St. Edward's comeback falls short
St. Edward's second half rally fell a touchdown short as the Green Wave dropped its home opener to Tinley Park Friday night, 26-19.
The Green Wave trailed the Titans 13-0 at halftime.
St. Edward's offense got on track in the last two quarters and scored 3 touchdowns.
The third score, a 50-yard pass from junior quarterback Anthony Holte to James Brisco with 4:25 left to play, pulled the Wave within a point, 20-19
"Holte threw a perfect pass to me," said Brisco. "He put it right in my hands."
The Wave's attempt to take the lead with a 2- point conversion was stymied by the Titan defense.
Tinley Park widened the gap on the second play of its next possession. Running back Ronin Gilbert scampered 59 yards down the right sideline to score.
The senior gained 182 yards on 19 carries for the Titans.
"Our running backs really carried us and our O-line did well," said Tinley Park coach Joshua O'Shea. "We counted on our run game and they picked us up big at the end."
Tinley Park (1-0) wasted no time in taking the lead in the first quarter. Titan quarterback Joe Mackessy ended the Titans' first drive of the game with a 1-yard run across the end line.
On its next possession, the Wave fumbled the ball on its own 21-yard line. Titan defensive end Donnell Gay scooped up the loose ball and scored, putting the Titans up 13-0.
"We have several starting freshman and sophomores so we got a little shell shocked at the beginning. A little misfortune, we gave them a touchdown," said Green Wave coach Mike Rolando. "But after those 2 touchdowns, I thought we were pretty darn competitive and held them in check."
Neither team scored in the second quarter.
St. Edward (0-1) got on the board in the third quarter when Holte connected with Brisco for a 29-yard TD pass.
Tinley Park responded with its third touchdown, a 26 yard pass from Mackessy to Rashadd Shaw to extend it lead to 20-7.
Running back Nick Wright scored the Wave's second TD on 11-yard run at the 8:05 mark of the fourth quarter, making the score 20-13.
St. Edward relied on its passing game to advance the ball. Holte completed 12 of 24 passes for 189 yards. The Wave rushed for only 19 yards.
"Again we've got all brand new varsity line so these guys are learning the ropes the first time they are playing, they are playing against seniors," Rolando said. "This was a first test for them. I think the running game will come."