John Rhode throws 7 TDs as Montini wins big

Updated: October 22, 2011 12:48AM

It’s hard to imagine a team getting off to a better start than No. 24 Montini did in its 54-6 victory over Wheaton Academy Friday night in Lombard.

Quarterback John Rhode completed 18 of his 25 pass attempts for 328 yards and seven touchdowns for the Broncos (7-2, 4-1).

Interceptions by Montini defensive back Joe Cione on back-to-back possessions led to touchdown passes of four and six yards by Rhode on his first two pass attempts of the game.

Rhode threw a four-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp on Montini’s first offensive play of the game and the Broncos led 7-0 just 14 seconds after kickoff.

Rhode’s six-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Joe Borsellino gave Montini a 14-0 lead just a minute into the game.

Running back Dimitri Taylor took a shovel pass from Rhode and ran 41 yards into the end zone just two minutes later, and the Broncos led 21-0 with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.

“We can put points on the board in a hurry, so if the defense can get us the ball like that, we’re going to score,” said Montini coach Chris Andriano. “It’s nice to see that we are able get those leads and get teams into our kind of game.”

Rhode has now thrown for more than 1,100 yards and 22 touchdowns in just over 10 quarters of play since coming back from a broken right thumb.

“With John back in the offense, everything has opened up a lot more. We’ve been executing, coaches have been making great calls, we’ve just been adapting to defenses,” said the Nebraska-bound Westerkamp. “John is an unbelievable kid. He’s got a great arm, he just fits this offense so well.”

Rhode threw touchdown passes to five different Bronco receivers. Westerkamp (seven catches, 105 yards) and Borsellino (five catches, 74 yards) both had two touchdown grabs, while Mark Gorogianis, Anthony Taylor and Dimitri Taylor each had one.

“Our quarterback is the guy who makes it all work, but our receivers are really good,’’ Andriano said. ‘‘It’s a very special group of kids.”

Quarterback Drew Decker threw a two yard pass to wide receiver Mark Lindsay early in the second quarter for Wheaton Academy (1-8, 0-5).

Montini, the two-time defending 5A state champion, enters the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the state. The Broncos have won five consecutive games and have outscored opponents 276-50 over that stretch.

“Everything seems to be rolling,’’ Westerkamp said. ‘‘We can’t wait to find out who we’re going to play in the first round. We’re really excited to get started.

“Hopefully we can keep this up in the playoffs and win a state championship again.”

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