Van Duyne block lifts Wilmington

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

WILMINGTON -- John Van Duyne had an idea his blocked punt in the second quarter might account for the only six points in Wilmington High School's 6-0 victory Saturday night over Sterling Newman Central Catholic in the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs.

"I knew it would be huge because their defense was doing a good job of holding us in the first quarter," Van Duyne said. "It wasn't going to be a regular night of us rolling on offense. We struggled up front. We couldn't break their tackles. I had a fumble that hurt us, and that could have been big. We still got the win, but we need to play better."

The Wildcats (11-0) meet Oregon (11-0) in the quarterfinals next week.

Van Duyne, a 5-foot-9, 158-pound running back/defensive back, blocked the Comets' punt from the 25. The ball rolled all the way to the end zone, where teammate Rich Heintz outran a Comets' player to fall on the ball for the touchdown. The score came with 5:15 left in the second quarter.

"We've been practicing that play all year," Van Duyne said. "We put our speed guys in the middle and we try and shoot the gaps and get past the four linemen. I shot that gap and got through untouched. The ball hit me right in the stomach."

Newman outgained Wilmington in total yards 167-145, but the Wildcats' defense held the Comets to zero or negative yards on 17 plays. Wilmington, which had not won a game by less than 21 points coming in, also intercepted quarterback Dugan Repass three times, with Van Duyne, Cort Scheel and Justin Gruca getting the picks. Tom Courtney and Jeremy Bailey also recorded sacks of Repass, with Bailey's coming on the game's final play.

"Defensively, our kids played a heck of a game. We gave them a long field most of the night and that was huge for us," Wilmington coach Jeff Reents said. "Special teams won the game. They had our number on defense, and we couldn't figure out what they were doing. Give them credit. They're a good ballclub.

"We'll see what happens, and we'll get better."

Reents was not surprised that Van Duyne figured in the game-winning play.

"The kid is an unbelievable athlete, not only in football but he's also going to be an all-state wrestler," he said. "He's one of those guys who you look at on the field and you're really glad he's on your side."