Gators clamp down on defense

Updated: August 27, 2011 6:24PM

After spending over 90 minutes of their Saturday morning in a bus traveling to Dolton, the Crystal Lake South defense was ready to make a statement against Thornridge.

The Gators intercepted five passes, recorded a safety and held the Falcons to negative yardage in a 41-6 nonconference victory.

Brad Walovitch had three of those interceptions, returning the second one 41 yards to put Crystal Lake South up 13-0 in the second quarter.

“I was just lucky enough to pick them off,” said Walovitch, who had two interceptions last season. “Our defense did a really good job pressuring the ball.”

On Thornridge’s first defensive series, Walovitch intercepted a Tevin Newman pass, giving the Gators possession at the Thornridge 19-yard-line. Four plays later, Bryan Kazmer scored on a 6-yard run.

Following an interception by Brandon LaPak, Crystal Lake South (1-0) went on an 11-play, 52-yard drive that lasted 6:04 and was capped by a 1-yard run by Zevin Clark.

A botched return on the ensuing kickoff pinned the Falcons at their own 1-yard-line. Two plays later, Joe Cariaci and several of his teammates tackled the Thornridge ball carrier in the end zone for a safety.

“Our defense is experienced and they made the plays,” said head coach Chuck Ahsmann.

Up 21-0 at halftime, Crystal Lake South held the ball for over 19 minutes.

Faced with a fourth-and-9 on their second drive of the second half, the Gators gambled with a long passing play from Brendan Chrystal to Will Ahsmann, which resulted in a 42-yard score.

On the Falcons’ next offensive play from scrimmage, Reese Dziedzic recorded the Gators’ fifth interception of the game. On offense, Dziedzic put the Gators ahead 35-0 with a 16-yard scoring run with 4:14 remaining in the third quarter.

“All minicamp and offseason we practiced catching the ball,” said Walovitch, referring to the defensive unit.

Thornridge (0-1) scored with 13 seconds left in the third quarter on a 2-yard run by Tommy Green.

Six different players scored touchdowns for Crystal Lake South. The last scored was a 2-yard run by Karl Mikulec early in the fourth quarter.

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