Trick plays and defense head Lemont

Updated: September 3, 2011 2:00AM

Trick plays, turnovers and dominating defense were an overpowering combination for Lemont in a 49-0 win at Riverside-Brookfield Friday night.

The trick plays provided an early and permanent momentum turn. With Lemont (2-0) facing fourth down and nine at the R-B 41-yard line, a fake punt pass from usual quarterback Damon Aleman to Eric Kirkman netted 27 yards and a first down. Kirkman capped the drive two plays later with a 6-yard touchdown run. Another fake on the extra point resulted in a two-point conversion pass from backup quarterback Zack Brosseau to Christos Giatras and an 8-0 lead.

“We crept up on them there.” Kirkman said of the fake punt in which he was left completely uncovered in the right flat. “That was nice.”

“It’s great to come into somebody else’s house and just take it to them.”

The big turnover came seconds later when Kirkman’s twin brother Mark recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, which Aleman converted into a 1-yard touchdown run and a 15-0 advantage.

The defensive domination of the Bulldogs (0-2) included just four first downs allowed – none until 3:56 remained in the first half and Lemont led 42-0.

Tommy Kunkel and Matt Luzzo each had intereceptions deep in R-B territory to set up first half touchdowns. John Tomala had two quarterback sacks as well.

“Our defense did a really nice job tonight,” Lemont coach Eric Michaelsen said. “They got us some turnovers tonight and got us a short field and we were able to take advantage of it.

“Riverside-Brookfield put us on notice with how they did last week (in a 20-14 loss to powerful St. Francis). As a result our kids didn’t look past them.”

Lemont’s running game more than did its part behind the powerful line of Ethan Pocic, Carl Chanda, Travis Layer, Tim McAuliffe and Nick Runnfeldt.

Rushing for two touchdowns each were Giatras (six carries, 73 yards) and Eric Kirkman. Mike Anzalone led the Lemont ground attack with 118 yards on 11 carries, and Mitch Balek added a 22-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to cap the night’s scoring.

Lemont’s Brosseau also threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Jay with 4:07 left in the first half to put the Indians up 42-0.

The win followed a shutout victory last week over Little Village in which Lemont’s defense allowed just one first down.

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