St. Edward stomps Chicago Christian
Chicago Christian had no idea that its conference matchup against St. Edward at Greg True Field would turn into nightmare on Elm Street, but that's exactly what happened.
The Green Wave rolled to a 49-0 win to remain unbeaten in the Metro Suburban Red Conference.
Junior Joseph Sacco and senior Anthony Holte provided most of the offensive assault for the Green Wave on a night both the offensive and defensive units appeared they could do no wrong.
Sacco scored four touchdowns on the night and credited his offensive line with giving the offense so many opportunities to score.
"We were just firing on all cylinders tonight," Sacco said. "Our offensive line really stepped up tonight and opened up some holes and really gave us the ends. The passing game opened up the run and the run opened up the pass ... everything was working."
Holte tossed three touchdowns and he also credited his offensive line for giving him the time to throw, but also had positive words for the defensive effort as well.
"I think it was really all about our (offensive) line tonight," Holte said. "They really gave me a lot of time to throw and ability to roll out to find our receivers. I'm just really happy to get this win tonight for our seniors. I think our guys always get open so I just try to get them the ball and let them make plays. Our defense played spectacular tonight. Our goal was to not let them score tonight and we won 49-0, so we accomplished our goal. Our motto is to exude confidence and I think with each game we're gaining confidence that we can play well."
Sacco got the Green Wave (4-2, 4-0) started, cruising in from 8 yards out to cap a 12-play, 68-yard drive with just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter. St. Edward made it 8-0 on a two-point conversion throw from Holte to sophomore Clemon Mccullough II.
St. Edward forced the Knights (4-2, 2-1) to punt and wasted little time in taking a 14-0 lead when Sacco scored on a 54-yard pass play with just under a minute left still in the first quarter.
Midway through the second quarter the Green Wave struck again on a 21-yard pass from Holte to Mccullough II.
And while the Green Wave offense was seemingly having their way, the defense was making the night just as difficult for Chicago Christian's offense forcing punts on the Knights' first several drives and then turnovers on their final two drives before halftime.
Ezekiel Rolando intercepted a pass to give St. Edward the ball on the Knights 43-yard line with just over five minutes left in the first half. Four plays later senior James Brisco took the ball in from the 3-yard line for a 28-0 lead. Three plays later, the Green Wave recovered a fumble and Holte found junior Liam Pomeroy wide open at the 10-yard line. Pomeroy then juked the defender and cut back to the center of the field for the score to give the Green Wave a commanding 35-0 lead at halftime.
St. Edward added its final two scores in the third quarter on runs by Sacco.
Coach Mike Rolando was happy with the effort and credited his team for toughing out their second win in the past five days.
"They're (Chicago Christian) a really good team. I thought we executed really well tonight," Rolando said. "It wasn't a lack of effort on their team's part or anything. Our kids just executed really well. I'm super proud of our kids. They answered the bell again and really stepped up. They knew this was a big game. They're a very unselfish team and they just have fun playing ball. It's a lot of fun to be their coach."