Newman defense shuts down St. Bede

STERLING – It’s tough to say which was nastier on Saturday afternoon, the weather or Newman’s defense.

St. Bede found that out the hard way, as the Comets cruised to a 35-6 victory at rain-soaked Roscoe Eades Stadium.

The Bruins managed only 32 yards of total offense, and 15 of those came against Comet reserves at the end of the game when St. Bede averted a shutout.

“We were just doing our own jobs, everyone trusting each other,” Newman senior linebacker Andrew Velasquez said. “We listened to our coaches and showed what we could do.”

“They’re so disciplined and they come at you from all angles,” St. Bede coach Jim Eustice added. “They do their jobs and they do them well. Our scheme was good and has been good. We executed some of the things perfectly, and their guys just beat our guys. What can you do? Hats off to them.”

Newman (3-0) pieced together two long scoring drives in the first half, and each was capped off by TD runs by Velasquez. The first was from 10 yards out barely four minutes into the game, while the second was from 3 yards with 3:38 left in the second quarter.

A few mistakes by the Comets gave St. Bede (3-1) two golden scoring opportunities early. A pass interference penalty set up the Bruins with a first down at the Newman 34, but three short runs and an incomplete pass ended that threat.

A botched pitch, followed by a fumble from Newman QB Jake Ackman, set up St. Bede with a first down at the Newman 17. The Bruins went backward from there, however, and a dropped snap on a field-goal attempt ended that drive.

The second half was more of the same.

The Comets upped their lead to 21-0 after an eight-play, 76-yard march capped off by a 1-yard plunge from Brennen Cook.

The Comets’ Ethan Van Landuit then blocked a punt, which set up a 9-yard TD run by Marcus Williams with 3:29 left in the third quarter to increase the lead to 28-0.

A fumble recovery by Velasquez led to the Comets’ final TD, a 1-yard dive by Cook midway through the fourth quarter.

All but four of Newman’s 260 total yards were on the ground. Velasquez had 15 carries for 106 yards, Cook had 13 carries for 38 yards, while Williams, a first-year footballer known for his prowess on the basketball court, carried three times for 46 yards.

“We were just doing what we love – a ground-and-pound offense right down the middle,” Velasquez said. “We didn’t do anything special. We just went power guard, power tackle, power end – everything. On their side, it’s hard to throw in this weather, so the wishbone is great for us.”

Newman coach Brandon Kreczmer echoed those sentiments about his team’s preferred mode of attack.

“The wishbone offense, what we do, ground and pound, most of the time weather doesn’t matter,” Kreczmer said. “Late in the game we fumbled a few snaps, but most of the time we were able to control the ball. We only had three possessions in the first half, and two were for touchdowns. Overall, I’m very pleased. We were a little sloppy with the ball, but overall, I’ll take it.”

Newman did lose two fumbles, and the second of those, by reserve back Hunter Luyando, was recovered by the Bruins’ Ben Koyak with four minutes to play at the Comets’ 15. Two plays later, Tyreke Fortney scampered in from the 15 for St. Bede’s lone score.

Noah Setser had seven carries for 18 yards to pace the Bruins’ attack. Braden Damerell and Fortney each rushed for 10 yards. St. Bede had one play of at least 10 yards (Fortney’s TD), while eight plays went for negative yardage.

Newman assistant coach Tim Nelson was recognized after the game for being a part of his 300th win at Newman. A former standout player for the Comets, Nelson has coached at his alma mater since 1990.

Football

Newman 35, St. Bede 6

Star of the game: Andrew Velasquez, Newman, 15 carries, 106 yards, 2 TDs

Key performers: Marcus Williams, Newman, 3 carries, 46 yards; Noah Setser, St. Bede, 7 carries, 18 yards

Up next: Princeton at Newman, 7 p.m. Friday

Brian Weidman

Brian Weidman

Brian Weidman was a sports reporter for Sauk Valley News