LAGRANGE PARK -- Two second-half interceptions punctuated a solid defensive performance for Nazareth Academy on Saturday afternoon as the Roadrunners shut out Benet 17-0 in the season opener for the East Suburban Catholic rivals.
Nazareth senior Joseph DeSimone scored the only touchdown in the second half, picking off Benet quarterback Kevin Weller at midfield and racing untouched thanks to good blocking for a 51-yard score.
The Roadrunners held Benet to 144 total yards – 34 rushing -- and six first downs, including just one first down in the opening half as Nazareth built a 10-0 lead.
“The defense had an outstanding game,” Nazareth coach Tim Racki said. “To have a shutout in Week 1 is a credit to them.”
Phillip Gaspari intercepted Weller on Benet’s first drive of the second half when the junior transfer threw into double coverage along the left sideline.
The game was swamped with penalties with 155 penalty yards between the two squads. Nazareth had two personal fouls for late hits in the second half, and apparently that caused emotions to get the best of some players during the postgame handshake line. Pushing and shoving led to several Benet players having to pull their teammates out of the line.
“I think these two schools are natural rivals,” Benet coach Patrick New said. “(The Roadrunners) were upset about the loss last year. It’s a good rivalry.”
Neither New, nor Racki said they were aware of the flaring tempers when Patch.com brought it to their attention.
“I didn’t notice that,” Racki said. ”We’re friends with a lot of the coaches on (Benet’s) staff. I will have to talk to (New) about that. That’s unacceptable. Thanks for telling me because I am sure going to talk to (my players) about it.”
The lone offensive highlight of the first quarter was the lone offensive touchdown in the game. Nazareth quarterback Sam Poulos found tight end Andrew Bartucci in the flat after bootlegging right. Bartucci outran the defenders to the corner for a 16-yard touchdown to cap a drive that began at the Benet 28 thanks to Redwings offensive penalties.
The touchdown toss was the first pass attempt of the day for Poulos. Benet senior Brendan Brosnan intercepted his second attempt, and Poulos ended the day 3 of 13 for 30 yards.
“I think I need to be more calm in the pocket, set my feet more,” said Poulos, who also rushed for 51 yards on eight attempts. “Everyone else is doing their job. It will all come together.”
Nazareth closed out the half with a 58-yard drive, which culminated with Matthew Ramsey's 32-yard field goal as time expired.
Benet used three quarterbacks in the game, with Nick Mankowski and J.T. Crosby under center in the first half. Weller did not play in the first half. New said that was because Weller has not had enough practice time with the first-teamers as Benet awaited word from the IHSA that Weller’s transfer would be approved.
Weller finished 8 of 14 for 76 yards.
