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Football: Behind Matt Micucci, Stevenson stuns Maine South
Updated: November 5, 2011 6:42PM
Matt Micucci is well-versed in the history of Stevenson’s failures against Maine South. On Saturday afternoon, the Patriot quarterback helped to write a new chapter.
When Micucci completed his 20th pass of the game — a 17-yarder to Cameron Green on third-and-8 to push the ball to the Maine South 48 — the Patriots were on their way to a 24-22 victory over the No. 2-ranked Hawks in an IHSA Class 8A second-round contest.
“Going into it, we knew we could play with them,” said Micucci, adding he has seen every Stevenson playoff loss to Maine South in recent years. “We knew we had to play the perfect game, and we did for the most part.”
Host Stevenson (9-2) raced out to a 24-7 lead, thanks mostly to the right arm of Micucci. He shook off an early injury to fire touchdown passes to Matt Morrissey (five yards) and Troy Radtke (21 yards). The throw to Radtke bumped the edge to 24-7 early in the third quarter.
“Matt showed great character and great poise,” said Stevenson coach Bill McNamara. “He found open guys, and he made unbelievable decisions. He showed he’s a top-caliber quarterback.”
Micucci finished the contest 20-for-33 for 252 yards. He chose to share the glory with his teammates.
“Our line gave me time to throw,” Micucci said. “And I think we have the best receiving corps in the state.”
Maine South (10-1) made a valiant comeback. The Hawks pulled to within 24-15 when Matt Alviti tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Keenan McKenzie with :57 left in the third quarter (the Hawks hit a two-point PAT pass).
Alviti struck again less than three minutes later. He capped a 57-yard drive with a 15-yard TD run on an option play.
“Hats off to Maine South,” McNamara said. “There was no quit in that team.”
Stevenson will play in a Class 8A quarterfinal next weekend.
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