Joliet Catholic rolls past Benet

Updated: September 24, 2011 11:21PM

Facing a winless opponent and having scored 63 points in each of their last two games, No. 4 Joliet Catholic did not expect its Saturday night match-up against Benet at Benedictine University to be much of a contest.

While the Hilltoppers remained unbeaten, their East Suburban Catholic foe was more of a challenge than the 35-0 final score would indicate.

Joliet Catholic (5-0, 4-0), which has traditionally been a run dominated team, got a majority of its yardage of their first possession on a six-play, 56-yard drive in the air. Craig Slowik found Isaac Grashoff for a 42-yard gain and three plays later Slowik connected with Ty Isaac for a seven-yard touchdown catch.

The Redwings defense then forced Joliet Catholic into multiple false start penalties.

“That’s a good team,” Isaac said. “Don’t pay attention to the record.”

Penalties and a stingy Red Wings defense stifled Joliet Catholic on its next two drives. Then the Hilltoppers went on a 14-play, 78-yard drive that relied exclusively on the running game, concluding with a one-yard touchdown run by Isaac. Prior to that series Joliet Catholic had only 42 rushing yards.

“We haven’t had penalties like that the first four games,” said Hilltoppers coach Dan Sharp. “They threw us off our cadence.”

The Hilltoppers had a look of determination to start the second half, scoring on their first three possessions. Malin Jones (15 carries, 96 yards) scored on runs of 14 and six yards to give the Hilltoppers a 28-0 lead in the third quarter.

Isaac, a junior and a Division I prospect, ran for 124 yards on 22 carries, scoring on runs of 1 and 4 yards.

As a team the Hilltoppers rushed for 410 yards.

Nick Mankiwski completed 11 of his 21 passes for 119 yards for Benet (0-5, 0-5).

Slowik completed four of his nine passes for 91 yards.

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