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Richards sloshes to SICA North crownBy LARRY ODELLSports EditorBulldogs are unquestionably better mudders than Eagles.That seemed to be the most obvious point proved by Richards’ 22-7 splash past Sandburg Friday night inOrland Park That and the fact that the 1985 SICA North crown will be worn by the winning Bulldogs.“We won the first half and they won the more important second half, a gracious Tom Seliga, Sandburg coach, said of his team’s first loss in eight season starts.THE OUTCOME, on an evening not fit for even ducks, left Sandburg 5-1 in SICA North play — with nonconference opponent Thomwood remaining Saturday in South Holland — and 7-1 Richards 5-0 in conference with Reavis remaining Saturday at Richards.Sandburg scored the first time it had the ball on a brilliant 78-yard drive and still clung tenaciously to a 7-6 lead at halftime The Eagles then elected to receive the second half kick.“We thought we would kick off, get them in the hoie and then hoped to pick up another quick score, said Seliga “But, all of the sudden there was more noise on the other side of the field than our side ”Held to one first down and minus two yards rushing the first half, the winners foiled that strategy with a surprising 61-yard scoring drive of their own following the second half kickoff.“WE TRIED to pull out every stop we could, but it just wasn’t to be,”Seliga said of his Eagles, who never seriously threatened after their opening score.Quarterback Jeff Parisi was a perfect four-for-four passing on the Eagles’ opening drive that featured passes of 16 yards to Paul Helman, four yards to John Shachter and 15 and eight yards to Bill Marcordes.The eight-yard flip to Marcordes was for the score with 5:38 left in the quarter. Greg Lecas was true on his kick (7-0).It looked like it might be all Sandburg when moments later Pat Foley recovered a fumbled Richards' hand-off at the Bulldog 29 However, the Eagles were to inch the football only two yards in four downs.IT REALLY started to rain on Sandburg's parade with 8:40 left in the half when Dave Wojcik blocked a Foley punt attempt and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.Ed Ceasar was stopped short on the two-point conversion try. And as the rain somehow unbelievably began to pick up intensity, the thought entered one's mind that the missed conversion might just result in Richards' second 7-6 defeat of the season (Tbornridge its only conqueror).However, that was only a fleeting thought as three plays later Sandburg was again trying to punt from its 22 Actually, Foley did get off an 18-yard punt. But, Ceasar returned it 35 yards to the Eagle five.A delay of game penalty, a fumbled center snap and a 15-yard quarterback sack of Rob Pratl by Pete Lellos and the Bulldogs ended up back at the 25 when the series of downs ended. That allowed the Eagles to submerge at halftime ahead,74.NATURALLY, there was no half-time entertainment and almost predictably, the rain also let up some at intermission. Only to come down in even stronger torrents as second-half play was resumed. As if it needed any help, the continuing monsoon was helped along by a wind that picked up considerably from the north.Pratl’s sneak of one yard and a keeper run for two points gave Richards a 14-7 lead with 6:59 left in the third quarter. The big play of that 61-yard, nine-play drive was a35-yard Pratl-to-Shawn Wiggins pass, one of only five thrown, and two completed, by Pratl all night.“We know Pratl can throw, but he didn’t have to, said Seliga. “We were in a position where we had to throw, and they were in a position where they could choose,” Seliga addedFor the long miserable night, Parisi threw an amazing 23 times and completed an equally amazing 11 for 105 yards. Helman caught four and Marcordes three, each for 34 yardsSANDBURG second-half possessions started at their own 23. 20, 28, 30 and 34 yard lines — hardly positions conducive to comeback football on such an eveningIn a drive that started late in the third quarter, and did not culminate until 6:49 remaining, Richards powered 71 yards in nine plays for the clincher that mercifully emptied half of the stands on the Sandburg side of the field.Ronnie McGee somehow sloshed the final 30 yards for the score, then added the two-point conversion for good measure.“We had an excellent game-opening drive and they had two great second half drives under unbelievable conditions, said Seliga. “We're not going to alibi.The yardstickr s• First downs.................... 9114..............*«**,... Rushing yards 5130............ y i r—inu y*flt;J» 1055 ................. Pass attempts . 23 2......................Pass completions..................... 111 Intercepted by 13 ... . FumDies 21.............. Fumbles lost................... 045........ ....Yard* penalized....................... 25RICHAR08 ....................0 6 • • - 22SANDBURG 7000 78— Marcordes 8 yd pass from Parts* (Lecas kick) R— Wotctk 30 yd blocked punt return (Run failed) R— Pratl 1 yd run (Pratl run)R— McGee 30 yd run (McGee run)Top Richard rushers McGee 11*76 Ceasar 5-19 Top Sandburg rusher: Shachter 18-41 Richards passing (All belongs to Pratl)Sandburg passing Ail belongs to Parisi)Richards receivers: Wiggins 2-38Top Sandburg receivers Helman 4-34, Marcordes3-34
Newspaper Details
Orland Park Star
Orland Park, Illinois, US
Sun, Oct 20, 1985
Page 23
Full Page
Clipped by
Cody L.
USA 20 Apr 2018
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