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First half carries Minooka
Updated: September 10, 2011 12:03AM
When Plainfield Central drove striaght down the field after receiving the opening kickoff and scored to go ahead 7-0, the Minooka camp had to be wondering.
But two big plays later, and all of a sudden the previously-winless Indians looked every bit the Southwest Prairie Conference contender they have been billed to be.
Quarterback Joe Carnagio hooked up with speedy Luke Stovall on a 69-yard touchdown bomb on Minooka’s first play from scrimmage, and moments later Luke Carey broke a tackle and returned a punt 51 yards to put the Indians ahead 14-7.
Before visiting Minooka (1-2, 0-1) was through with the onslaught, the Indians had scored on all their possessions of the first half in building a 42-14 lead en route to a 52-20 victory.
“The long TD pass was big,” Minooka coach Bert Kooi said. “When these kind of things happen to a defense that had been preparing for a running team all week, that makes you rethink what you’re doing.”
“That big play got us on our heels,” Central coach John Jackson said, “and we made critical mistakes on special teams. But I felt we could play with them, and we showed that right off the bat with our long drive. And they did not take us lightly. You could see they were ready for us.”
The Wildcats (2-1, 0-1) finished with 307 total yards of offense, more than Minooka’s defense is accustomed to yielding. Jordan Ellingwood rushed 14 times for 85 yards, caught two passes for 25 and scored three touchdowns.
“I think they moved the ball better than Providence and Morris did against us,” said Kooi, referring to the teams that beat the Indians the two previous weeks. “They did a nice job offensively. They have three tough backs and the quarterback (Tim Blake) did a nice job.”
But on the flip side, there was little Central could do to slow down the Indians, who rushed for 275 yards and passed for 111. Kalvin Hill gained 156 in only six carries and scored on 52- and 40-yard runs. Carnagio also threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Max Brozovich and scored on a 41-yard run. Nate McGuire had a 10-yard scoring run.
“Our offensive line blocked phenomenally tonight,” Hill said. “We wanted to make a statment tonight — that was important — and we got some big plays.
“We knew we had the weapons, and it felt great to get some quick scores. We are starting to play the way we are supposed to.”
The Minooka defense didn’t have a bad night, save for the opening drive. End Alex Hamilton had two sacks, four hurries and his No. 44 may become a recurring nightmare for Blake, although the Central quarterback did finish 8-of-21 passing for 105 yards and with 68 rushing yards.
“Absolutely he got after their quarterback,” Kooi said of Hamilton. “He’s a nice player.”
“We wanted to show that we are actually a good team,” Hamilton said. “We beat them pretty well after that first series.
“I think I was going against a you offensive tackle, but their fullback (Tyler Erdman) did a really good job setting up at the next level. He made it hard to get around.”
All in all, a whole lot better feeling in Indian Nation.
“We are coming together as a team and getting better every week,” Kooi said. “This was especially nice to see because we had seven starters out, and I mean no disrespect to Plainfield Central when I say that. (Lineman Walter) Vesper got hurt in the game last week, but all the rest are goofy things that kept them out.”
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