Brother Rice runs past Naperville
By Dave Surico
The iYRA's version of Friday Night Lights was a rematch of the 2009 Tier 1 championship match between Brother Rice and Naperville. The score was different, but the result was the same. Brother Rice took the hard-fought match 22-7, this time on its home field.
With the wind at their backs the host Crusaders controlled the early action, and kept Naperville cooped up on its side of the field for the first 10 minutes. Rice broke the ice after a mid-field steal from Connor Healy, and his subsequent long run for the try just before the 12-minute mark. Healy converted the kick for a 7-0 lead.
Six minutes later Pat Sullivan added to the lead on a 30-yard run. The kick was missed right, and left Brother Rice with a 12-0 halftime lead.
Naperville (3-2) got the wind in the final period and got on the board 10 minutes into the second half after a Rice turnover. Joe Savina scored on a short run to cut the deficit. Bryan Kanzler converted the kick to shorten the disadvantage to 12-7.
"We knew we were getting the wind and we felt good about that," Savina said. "The wind was helping them a lot with their positioning. We felt we would be able to shove the ball in there.
"We knew they wanted to push the pace and they're quick. We practiced keeping our penalties down and slowing down their pace. We also wanted to take it to them fast and give them a taste of their own medicine."
The Crusaders answered with a try from Chuck Busking for a 17-7 lead. A Pat Sullivan steal led to a short run from Tony Franchetti with five minutes to go that made the final score 22-7.
Naperville's Savina pegged the scores on breakdowns on his team.
"We got caught running lazy and being out of position," said Savina. "We got caught with too many three-on-ones on the outside because we had too many people dropping on the inside."
The host Crusaders held to the game plan in a contest where they never trailed.
"I just wanted our guys to hold the fort," said coach Brian Gilmartin. "Our backs are really skilled players. When we get the ball out there they do some good things. We had numerous breaks.
"The try that made it 17-7, I felt Naperville kind of sagged a little bit. And the fact that we came right back down there, that's when I knew the game was over.
"We didn't kick and we kept the ball in our backs' hands. Again we played to our strength. The fact that it was blowing so hard really kind of changed the nature of the game."
The six-time and defending state champions will be the number one seed out of the East Division.
Naperville Coach Doug Andrews saw things to build on.
"I was pleased that we played very phyically, matched up with this team," Andrews said. "We had four or five mental errors and they captilized on them. This is a game of field position, and when you give up field position like that, it's just a matter of time. That's really what the tale of the tape was here. They had a couple long runs that gave them good field position. Then when you're on your heels at the goal line, it's who wants it more.
Naperville will be the two seed out of the West. Last year's 7-5 loss in the championship game, coupled with Friday's loss, gives them a couple of scores to settle with Brother Rice if they meet in the playoffs.
