The Springfield Catholic Fightin’ Irish defeated the East Newton Patriots by a score of 42-20 Friday night at Don Johnston Stadium as the 2010 football season kicked off.
Both teams suffered from early season problems, as they both gave up the ball multiple times on turnovers. Both East Newton and Springfield Catholic had several painful interceptions, and the Irish had several problems with the quarterback to running back pitch during option plays.
East Newton coach Bobby Bishop said, “It was a learning experience, and we played well in the second half. We are an inexperienced football team and had a lot of missed opportunities and tackles. We improved as the game went on and I was proud of the players. They hung in there. There was no quitting.”
East Newton received the kick-off and shortly punted the ball. The Irish drove down the field on the ground, mostly using the legs of quarterback Chad McBride and running back Nick Gori and scored with 6:57 in the quarter. The point after was scored by Gori, making it 7-0.
During the Patriots’ next possession, quarterback Will Wheeler displayed his throwing arm by connecting with receiver John Hanson for 22 yards, but East Newton was not able to capitalize as Wheeler was sacked twice during this drive.
Fifteen-seconds into the second quarter, Springfield Catholic’s Scott Chesbro intercepted a Patriot pass and ran 41 yards for a touchdown.
Gori followed with the extra point, making it 14-0 for Springfield Catholic.
The Irsh crossed the goal line two more times during the second quarter, including a 30-yard pass from McBride to Chesbro for the second score.
Gori put the ball through the uprights both times for the point after.
Late in the half, East Newton’s Michael Logan intercepted the ball and picked up 11 yards, giving the Patriots one last scoring shot before the end of the half, but they were unable to get the ball in the end zone.
At 10:50 in the third quarter, East Newton’s McCully intercepted a pass and returned for 46 yards.
A few plays later, running back Ammon Allphin scored on a 1-yard run with 10:10 on the board. East Newton converted for two points on a Wheeler-to-Hansen pass, making it 28-8.
East Newton’s kicker Rocky Liveoak had a good kickoff and the Irish’s returner stepped out of bounds on the 12-yard line. The Irish began losing ground during the series and the Patriots smelled good field position.
