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2003 HOMECOMING |
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GAME 6: Joliet Catholic 46, Marian Catholic 23 |
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Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Spartan Stadium.
Where: Joe Orr Road and Ashland Avenue, Chicago Heights.
ESCC records: Joliet Catholic 5-0; Marian Catholic 4-1.
Streaks: Hilltoppers- 5 wins; Spartans- 2 wins.
Last week: Joliet Catholic 9, Benet Academy 6; Marian Catholic 49, St. Viator 16.
Week 7: Notre Dame at Joliet Catholic (Fri.); Marian Catholic at Marist (Fri.)
The series: In one of the South Suburbs´ classic rivalries, Joliet Catholic has won three straight to take a 21-8-1 series command. Marian´s last victory came in a 26-14 decision in 1994.
Notes: Marian is seeking its second straight 5-1 start to the season... The Spartans own an all-time record of 44-3 in East Suburban Catholic Conference play. Prior to this year´s setback vs. Carmel, both other losses came at the hands of the Hilltopppers. Marian has scored a passing touchdown in each of its five games and score via the pass and rush in the last four contests... The Spartans are looking to improve on a 1-1 mark on their home field this year... Following Friday´s contest, Marian alumni and friends are invited to the East Gym for and alumni homecoming gathering. |
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Oct. 3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
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JOLIET CATHOLIC HILLMEN |
7 |
7 |
20 |
12 |
-46 |
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MARIAN CATH. SPARTANS |
3 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
-23 |
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Marian Catholic´s Chris Rodriguez and Joe Grubisic were productive in Friday´s Homecoming game, but Joliet Catholic emerged with a 46-23 ESCC victory. |
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Marian Homecoming spoiled by Joliet Catholic
With Marian Catholic virtually trading punch for punch with powerful Joliet Catholic into the second half, an enthusiastic Homecoming crowd was hoping the post-game fireworks weren´t all it would have to cheer for Friday.
However, the Hilltoppers used a pair of Marian third-quarter turnovers to string together three straight scores and pull away for a 46-23 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory that kept JCA perfect at 6-0.
Marian fell to 4-2, but remains just one victory away from securing a playoff berth with three contests to play.
The Spartans were within 14-10 at halftime and a 1-yard touchdown run by Chris Rodriguez midway through the third quarter pulled Marian to within 21-17.
Joliet Catholic responded with a 68-yard scoring march to provide some cushion, then parlayed a Marian fumble and interception into two more scores and a 40-17 command.
A Marian defense that bouyed the Spartans to a 50-yard total offense advantage in the opening half eventually wore down. Although the Hillmen attempted only one pass in the second half, they rushed for 237 yards, had a pair of backs crack the 100-yard barrier and had five ballcarriers rush for 22 yards or more.
Marian compiled some lofty offensive numbers as well.
Quarterback Joe Grubisic finished 19 of 33 for 248 yards and two scores. He spread the ball around well, as Bryan Smith (87 yards), Andy Lietz (55) and Rodriguez (45) each made five receptions. Rodriguez also carried 13 times for 71 yards.
JCA marched to a 7-0 command with the game´s opening drive, but Marian responded immediately. With a drive that started from the Spartan 37, Marian eventually settled for a 22-yard field goal from Matt Harris and a 7-3 deficit.
After the Hilltoppers drove 71 yards for a 14-3 lead, Marian answered again as Grubisic´s 41-yard bomb to Smith set up an eventual 2-yard scoring toss to Lietz.
Joliet Catholic also opened the scoring in the second half, as one of three Bill McKeon scores made it 21-10.
Undaunted, Marian bounced back with key completions to Ryan Owens and Lietz before Rodriguez busted loose on a 42 yard jaunt to the JCA 1. From there, Rodriguez followed Tim Kelly, Dan Sandrick and Jon Scudella into the end zone and Marian was within 27-17 with 7:52 to play in the third quarter.
From that point, two of Marian´s four turnovers proved fatal and gave the Hilltoppers an insurmountable lead.
The Spartans added a consolation score when Grubisic finished off a 59-yard drive by hitting Smith with a 7-yard score with 5:32 to play in the final quarter.
On the night, Marian was only outgained by 46 yards. However, one turnover came with the Spartans driving deep in JCA territory late in the opening half and two other giveaways left the Hilltoppers just 18 and 19 yards to drive for scores.
Marian will try to rebound for its fifth victory next Friday when the Spartans visit Chicago to take on Marist at 7:30 p.m.
FRESHMEN: The Spartans improved to 6-0 with a 38-16 romp over Joliet Catholic. Jack McCormick started the scoring by capping a 73-yard drive with a 23-yard field goal. Clifford Gordon, Don Settle and Joe Barker ran for touchdowns, while Kendall Greer caught a scoring pass from Barker.
Elliot Echols added a score by returning a blocked punt. Matt Dee tossed an extra point conversion and McCormick added three extra points. The defense was led by Jon Lundstrom (interception) and Jason Bruno (fumble recovery). |
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CATEGORY |
Joliet Catholic |
Marian |
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First downs |
15 |
14 |
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Rush attempts / yards |
50-350 |
24-81 |
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Passing yards |
25 |
248 |
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Pass completions |
2 |
19 |
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Pass attempts |
8 |
39 |
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Had intercepted |
0 |
3 |
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Fumbles / lost |
1 / 1 |
2 / 1 |
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Penalty yards |
7-68 |
3-35 |
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Next |
NOTRE DAME |
at Marist |
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SCORING
JC- Chris Clancy 22-yard run (Nate Hudetz kick), 6:42 first.
MC- Matt Harris 22-yard field goal, 1:18 first.
JC- Clancy 9-yard run (Hudetz kick), 9:56 second.
MC- Andy Lietz 2-yard pass from Joe Grubisic (Harris kick), 8:17 second.
JC- Bill McKeon 1-yard run (Hudetz kick), 10:00 third.
MC- Chris Rodriguez 1-yard run (Harris kick), 7:52 third.
JC- McKeon 14-yard run (kick failed), 3:24 third.
JC- McKeon 10-yard run (Hudetz kick), 1:41 third.
JC- Kurt Kleeman 11-yard run (kick failed), 11:54 fourth.
MC- Bryan Smith 7-yard pass from Grubisic (kick failed), 5:32 fourth.
JC- Clancy 42-yard run (kick blocked), 3:09 fourth.
INDIVIDUALS
Passing: JCA- John Kiernan 2 of 7, 25 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; McKeon 0 of 1, 0 yards. MC- Grubisic 19 of 33, 248 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; Zach Denny 0 of 6, 0 yards.
Rushing: JCA- McKeon 16-124 (3 TD), Clancy 17-117 (3 TD), Kleeman 9-51 (1 TD), Kiernan 3-31, Bobby Buchanan 3-22, Eric Hibler 1-7, Mike Hooks 1-(minus 2); MC- Rodriguez 13-71 (TD), Grubisic 10-10, Denny 1-0.
Receiving: JCA- Jack Eastman 2-25. MC- Smith 5-87 (TD), Lietz 5-55 (TD), Rodriguez 5-45, Ryan Owens 2-31, Mike Jedlicka 2-30.
Interceptions: Buchanan (JCA), Kevin Platt (JCA). |
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