Benedictine wins in overtime

Benedictine senior tailback Andre Rodgers Jr. scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime to help his team overcome a 14-point deficit to secure a 27-20 victory over Walsh Jesuit in a Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal on Oct. 24.

“We did a good job of executing. We need to be more consistent with our execution but we fought tonight,” said Bengals coach Jarritt Goode.

The Bengals advance to face Akron Hoban on the road on Oct. 30.

Benedictine (4-4, 2-2) held a 20-14 edge over the Warriors with 4:29 left in the game. Walsh Jesuit (52, 2-1) junior tailback Will Rumple broke off big runs to lead his team down the field and score the gametying touchdown with 25 seconds left. A deadball foul after the touchdown backed up the extra kick by 15 yards, and it

THE SCORE BENEDICTINE 27, WALSH JESUIT 20 (OT)

proved costly as the Bengals blocked junior kicker Cooper Kirda’s extra-point attempt.

After the Bengals scored in overtime, Walsh Jesuit had a chance to tie it up. But the Bengals’ defense stood strong and forced it into a fourth-and-4. The Benedictine defense pressured Warriors quarterback Matt Natale and forced him out of the pocket, and his pass attempt to senior wideout Dom Grguric was off target.

The Bengals dug a hole early for themselves when they fumbled on the first snap of the game. Walsh Jesuit defensive lineman Connor Thomas recovered the fumble and Rumple capitalized on the turnover on a 14-yard touchdown run.

Benedictine relied on the running game early and moved the ball with ease but stalled inside its own territory. The Bengals’ first chance to get on the board was foiled as senior Ivan Shuran’s 41-yard field goal attempt was blocked. It snapped a streak of 44 consecutive successful field goals dating back to last season for the kicker.

Walsh Jesuit unveiled a gadget play to let Grguric uncork a 27-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Kenyon Marshall to put the Warriors up, 14-0.

Benedictine didn’t fold as Rodgers Jr. set the offense up in good position thanks to a 60-yard kick-off return. Jackson got the Bengals on the board thanks to a twoyard touchdown carry.

“When I broke that kick return we just sparked,” Rodgers Jr. said.

Benedictine’s defense stepped up. Senior defensive back Christopher Gates intercepted Natale, then the Bengals got the ball back after forcing a Walsh Jesuit incompletion on fourth down, and the Benedictine offense got in rhythm as it built a six-point lead in the final minutes.