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http://www.pioneerlocal.com/clarendonhills/sports/highschools/1169344,ch-hcfootball-091808-s1.article
Devils' blocked punt, solid second half soaks LT September 18, 2008 By BILL STONE Hinsdale Central senior nose tackle Pat Clegg experienced huge shifts of momentum during his previous two varsity football games against rival Lyons Township. On Friday, Clegg found himself in the middle of it. The Red Devils' blocked punt that was turned into a touchdown late in the first quarter served as the catalyst for a 33-7 victory in Western Springs in their West Suburban Conference Silver Division opener played in a constant downpour. Last year, the Red Devils (2-1) beat the Silver co-champs 26-14 in Hinsdale after trailing 14-0. In the 2006 regular-season finale, the Red Devils led 14-0 only to see the Lions (0-3) rally and win 25-14. "I remember the seniors walking out after that (2006) loss. It's a great tradition. It's a rival game so we're real excited we came out with the win," Clegg said. "Rain, sunshine, it doesn't really matter. I know our offense had some struggles because of some weather issues, but on defense we just keep it basic." Mike Tenerelli's 12-yard TD return of Mike Rogowski's blocked punt gave the Red Devils (2-1) the lead for good at 14-7. They scored on their first two possessions of the third quarter for a 27-7 advantage. "I was thinking, 'Please catch it, please catch it.' All I was thinking was touchdown as I ran that sucker in," Tenerelli said. "It's the coolest thing I've ever done. As a lineman to score was just ridiculous." "I was right behind Rogowski and followed Tenerelli. It just brought up my adrenaline and everything," Clegg said. "People underestimate special teams, but that's huge. That's one of the biggest parts of the game." Rich Zajeski rushed for 168 yards on eight carries with TD runs of 80, 19 and 54 yards and caught five passes for 70 yards from quarterback John Whitelaw (11 for 20, 140 yards, TD). Other defensive leaders included Clegg (2 fumble recoveries), Allan Cameron (fumble recovery), Brian Connor (interception), Mike Owens and Mike Rogers (sack) and Brendan Sullivan and Rogowski (tackles for loss). The Red Devils began the second half with a 14-yard TD pass from Whitelaw to Mick Culligan and a 19-yard TD run by Zajeski, who added the final TD with 4 minutes, 24 seconds left. "We talked to our guys at halftime and said, 'This is going to be a defining half. You either are going to act like a championship team or not,' " Hinsdale Central coach Mike DiMatteo said. "It's just an attitude, and I think they just came out in the third quarter and decided they were going to do something about it." LT scored first on its third play from scrimmage on a 58-yard TD run by quarterback Ryan Mitchell. After the ensuing kickoff, Zajeski scored on the next play with an 80-yard run, and Garrett Kawa's extra point tied the game. "(LT's TD) almost served as motivation not to let them score again, but you never want to be down 7-0. It helped that the offense scored right back, brought it back to a 0-0 game," Tenerelli said. LT had double-digit fumbles, losing three, and lost Mitchell and backup quarterback David Bellisario to injuries. The Red Devils lost two of four fumbles. "The first half, especially, I was a little too worried about the rain," Whitelaw said. "Our two guys who kept the balls dry seriously saved the game. Once I forgot about the rain, it was much easier to throw." © Copyright 2008 Digital Chicago, Inc. |
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