Auroraadvocate.com - Two big plays propel gridders to early lead, win

by Brent Hovey

Reporter

Aurora -- The first round Division III Region 9 playoff game between Aurora and Notre Dame Cathedral Latin was decided in a one-minute stretch in the first quarter.

The Greenmen scored on back-to-back plays -- both over 50 yards -- to take a 13-0 lead as they coasted to a 30-14 win at InkStop Field at Veterans Stadium.

Aurora started the game uncharacteristically going three-and-out on its first two possessions. The locals had scored on the opening drive in each of their last six games of the regular season.

The Lions defense could only contain the Greenmen for so long, though. On Aurora's fourth play of the third drive, junior wideout Steve Snyder made a juggling catch in traffic on a pass from senior quarterback Brendan Gallagher for a 64-yard touchdown.

After the Greenmen defense forced a three-and-out, the offense needed just one play to strike again. Senior tailback Steven Yung took a pitch and went around left end for a 52-yard score.

From there, Aurora had the game in hand thanks to its defensem which was relentless, causing 13 quarterback hurries, four tackles for losses and two interceptions.

NDCL had fewer than 80 yards at halftime and didn't score until late in the third quarter when Aurora had a 27-0 lead and the game was well in hand.

"I think we got momentum early," said AHS head coach Bob Mihalik. "The key was our defense early in the game. We were very concerned with their offense. But they gave our offense a chance."

SENIOR FULLBACK Chris Jenkins gave the Greenmen a 20-0 lead just before halftime with a 1-yard TD run on a drive that was set up by an interception by senior Dee Brizzolara.

In the second half, it was more of the same as Yung capped the first drive of the half with a 27-yard scoring run.

Yung finished with 171 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns. Gallagher was 10 for 20 passing for 150 yards and a TD.

"Guys like Yung make you a smart coach," said Mihalik. "He's been doing it for us for three years. He's a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball."

Defensively, Aurora never let NDCL get in a rhythm. Senior Adam Bellamy had five tackles (one for a loss) and five hurries. Senior Charley Haney had 11 tackles (one sack and one tackle for loss) and seniors Brendan Connolly and Danny Meyers had 10 tackles and two hurries each.

"I thought Bellamy played like an Ohio State recruit," Mihalik said. "Kevin Carroll did a great job up there also. That was the key tonight -- not giving their quarterback time to throw.

"We also took away their quarterback run, which was the key to their offense. "If our defense continues to play like this, I like our chances."

Aurora made it 30-7 on a 32-yard field goal by Andy Heacox before the Lions scored a meaningless touchdown with 39 seconds left.

Aurora advances to the Region 9 semifinals Nov. 8 against Hubbard, who beat Ravenna 40-12. The game will be played at Warren's Mollenkopf Stadium at 7 p.m.

E-mail: bhovey@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3115