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Elmwood Park claim big win
Elmwood Park's David Benavidez (34) runs through the St. Francis de Sales defense in a homecoming game in Elmwood Park on Sept. 30, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
Elmwood Park managed to overcome a variety of distractions to beat an undermanned and overmatched St. Frances de Sales squad 48-0 Friday night.
The host Tigers (3-3) didn’t allow homecoming hoopla, several lightning delays and a couple of downpours to interfere with their quest for a state playoff bid as it piled up the points against the Pioneers (0-6) and now prepares for another home battle at 7 p.m. Friday against conference rival Riverside-Brookfield, which fell to Glenbard South 39-21.
“R-B’s an option team and we’ve got to tackle,” Elmwood Park head coach Luis Arroyo said. “We’ve got play our assignment football — we’ve got to tackle the dive, we’ve got to tackle the quarterback, we’ve got to tackle the pitch. And most important … no mistakes.”
The Tigers started a bit rocky, committing some early penalties, but soon settled down after a late start to the game because of a lightning siren warning. After a flag gave the Pioneers a first down near midfield, Elmwood Park began to take command.
Senior Marcellus Hunter intercepted his first of two passes on the night and three plays later, junior David Benavidez was headed for the end zone. He was stripped of the ball at the 1-yard line, but the ball took a Tigers bounce and junior Rocco Fanella recovered it for a touchdown with just 7 minutes, 37 seconds still to play in the first quarter.
It didn’t take the Tigers long to go up 14-0 when after a completion by de Sales, the receiver fumbled and junior Carlos Sandoval picked it up and ran 63 yards for a defensive score.
Things just got worse for the Pioneers from there as Sandoval (8 carries, 56 yards) scored on offense this time with a 6-yard scamper with 8:20 to go in the second period. Two minutes later, Benavidez (171 yards, 6 carries, 2 TDs) scored when he burst through the line and the first play of the drive and bolted 57 yards to put the Tigers ahead 28-0.
After Hunter’s second pick on the first play of the Pioneers’ next possession, Fanella (4 carries, 65 yards) scored on a 42-yard run to give Elmwood Park a 34-0 advantage with 5:58 before halftime.
The Tigers forced a running clock on the second play of the third quarter when Benavidez blew past the Pioneers defenders and scored from 76 yards away. Senior James Accettura added the final points when he scored from 5 yards out on his only carry of the game.
“We didn’t come out ready to play. We came out sloppy and that needs to be fixed,” Arroyo said. “But we persevered through the lightning delays, the distractions from all the homecoming stuff, and wanting to get all of our kids in.
“But that first team being able to dominate the line of scrimmage, being able to play sound football in our base package, and then letting our kids enjoy homecoming together with a team win was very satisfying. We have a good rotation at tailback and two or three solid quarterbacks who can step in and do the job. It’s a special team and we don’t have to just count on one kid. Hopefully we can continue to play well and get to the playoffs.”
Sophomore running back James Angelico had a touchdown called back after a holding penalty, but rushed the ball nine times for 65 yards on the Tigers’ final drive.
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