Fisher 27, Carroll 6
By ALEX WILCOX
Sports Writer
Just minutes before kickoff against Carroll on Sunday, it appeared Fisher would have to forfeit for not having enough players. At the very last minute, though, two more players showed up and the Green Wave (3-1) never looked back, dominating the Vermin 27-6.
With the win over its division rival, Fisher finished the season in second place in its division and, more importantly, clinched a playoff berth.
"We're feeling strong," senior captain Chris Sarkis said. "We're going into the playoffs on a high note. It's always good when you get the offense going. It's a real defensive league so if you can score a couple touchdowns usually you can win a lot of games."
Fisher's offense got going early and often, scoring touchdowns on each of the team's first two drives. The Green Wave utilized the big play, including long runs by junior quarterback Joe Paggi and junior running back Ricky Neville, as each accounted for two scores.
Carroll junior captain Tom Spoonmore noted earlier in the week that, historically, Fisher had always been able to run the ball effectively against the Vermin (2-2). Sunday proved no different as Neville rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, and Paggi added 60 more yards and two scores on seven rushes.
"We've just got a couple of big bruising running backs," Sarkis said. "We know if we get them rolling, they're just going to run over everybody."
Both sides of the ball played well for the Green Wave, as the defense allowed just 73 total yards and forced three fumbles, two of which were caused and recovered by sophomore defensive linemen John Warner.
"The defense came up big today," Sarkis said. "We've got a real good secondary, our 'No Fly Zone' came through again."
Carroll was able to sustain just one drive, a 13-play, 65-yard possession that ended in a touchdown on a halfback pass from junior running back Bobby Dorman. The rest of the game, the Vermin were done in by costly penalties and turnovers in crucial situations.
The loss eliminated Carroll from postseason contention.
Fisher moves on to the playoffs and will play Sunday against Siegfried, while Carroll's season is over.
Contact Alex Wilcox at awilcox1@nd.edu
Knott 13, Duncan 7
By ALEX STEMBAUGH
Sports Writer
Knott was able to keep its playoff dreams alive and stake its share of the divisional title with a gritty 13-7 victory over Duncan on Sunday.
"This was a great way to cap off the season with a solid win today in a hard fought game," Knott junior defensive end James Hodgens said.
The Juggerknotts (3-1) mounted a ground attack that the Highlanders had difficulty containing. Knott senior running back Joey Beglane led the way with over 75 rushing yards.
Knott opened the game with a physical 65-yard drive capped off by a 20-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback David Taiclet to freshman receiver Griffin Carroll to get the scoring started.
After a series of three-and-outs by Duncan, Knott again turned to Beglane and its running game before Taiclet connected once more with a touchdown pass to Carroll.
Duncan (0-4) was able to gain yardage by utilizing the speed of junior running back Gerrit Hobson, but the tenacious Juggerknott defense would not allow the Highlanders to convert yardage into points.
Duncan increased its intensity in the fourth quarter after sophomore running back Eric Krakowiak returned a punt 65 yards. On the following play, Krakowiak rushed for a seven-yard touchdown to put the Highlanders on the board.
"In the second half we played really well," Krakowiak said. "There was a lot more excitement."
While the Highlanders finished the season winless, they are already looking to improve next year and view
Sunday's game as a starting point, Krakowiak said.
"We ended the year on a brighter spot than most of the year went," Krakowiak said.
Knott, meanwhile, has its sights set on the work still to be done if it hopes to garner the ultimate prize.
"We have a big week ahead of us in getting ready for playoffs and a lot of hard work to do," Hodgens said. "We're excited."
Duncan is finished for the season while Knott will square off with Keenan on Sunday in the first round of the playoffs.
Contact Alex Stembaugh at astembau@nd.edu
Keenan 6, Keough 6
By RICH HIDY
Sports Writer
Two of the top interhall teams played up to their level of competition Sunday as Keenan and Keough tied 6-6.
Both teams put everything on the line as the No. 1 seed in the playoffs was up for grabs along with divisional bragging rights.
Keough, however,After the game couldn't resolve the deadlock, Keough won the tiebreaker and the division title. Kangaroos sophomore captain Charlie Magiera said he was satisfied with the performance against a strong opponent.
"We expected the looks we got from Keenan," Magiera said. "We were able to figure out some minor details with the back end of our defense at the end to hang on to the tie, so we like where we are right now."
It was Keenan (3-0-1), though, that struck first when senior quarterback Andrew McDonough found junior receiver Jeremy Riche on a deep fade for a touchdown in the first quarter. Riche had his extra point attempt blocked following the touchdown, leaving the score at 6-0, where it would stay until the fourth quarter.
With just under two minutes to play, Keough (3-0-1) was finally able to get on the board when junior quarterback Michael Fischer ran a quarterback keeper in from five yards out.
The touchdown came after a defensive pass interference call against the Knights on fourth down sustained the drive.
The score was tied at six but the extra point attempt was pushed wide right after a low snap.
Keenan regained possession with just under two minutes to go and moved the ball into Keough territory. But McDonough was sacked on second down and the game ended in a tie.
McDonough said while the outcome wasn't ideal, the Knights knew they faced a tough opponent.
"Keough is a good football team and we knew it would be a physical matchup," McDonough said. "We drove the ball after missing four starters so we just have to work on the little things. We definitely didn't take a step backwards, and this week of practice will make sure we take the next step forward."
Keenan will face Knott on Sunday in the opening round while Keough will battle Alumni.
Contact Rich Hidy at rhidy@nd.edu
Forfeits
Observer Staff Report
Morrissey (1-3) forfeited its game against Alumni (3-1) because it did not have enough players.
St. Edward's (1-3) did not show up for its game against Sorin (4-0) and forfeited by default.
O'Neill (0-4) forfeited its game against Dillon (2-2).
