Tsagalis leads Dons in rivalry game
Western Illinois recruit accounts for 3 TDs as ND seals playoff spot
St. Patrick vs. Notre Dame is the best rivalry on the North Side. It’s a true neighborhood game, pitting grade-school teammates and lifelong friends against each other.
“When you grow up over here, you either wind up going to Pats or Notre Dame,” St. Patrick quarterback Paddy Devlin said. “So it is always a big game.”
The Shamrocks took the field Saturday at Hanson Stadium behind a fire truck and bagpipe players. Both schools brought a large contingent of fans, both had big student sections and both had high-powered offenses. The No. 21 Dons were just a bit crisper when it counted and escaped with a 44-34 victory.
St. Patrick (2-5, 0-5 East Suburban Catholic) entered on a fourgame skid. The Shamrocks struggled mightily without Devlin, who hadn’t played since being injured in Week 1. They’re a different team with him, and it showed.
The 6-7 senior completed 29 of 44 passes for 419 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for a score. Wide receiver Andrew Edgar was Devlin’s favorite target. The junior had 15 catches for 231 yards and one touchdown.
“It was an offensive battle. Lots of fireworks, so that was fun,” Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Tsagalis said. “Paddy played really well, unbelievably well. They have a really high-powered offense. We knew that coming in. We just had to outscore them.”
Tsagalis wasn’t as flashy as Devlin, but he was just as effective. The Western Illinois recruit was 15-for-22 for 225 yards and two touchdowns. His one-yard touchdown run sealed the win with 1:47 left. The key play on the drive was a 41-yard pass to senior Riley McAndrew.
“That was huge,” Notre Dame wide receiver Tim Simon said. “[McAndrew] stepped up big for us. I’m proud of the kid. He’s always wanted that big play, and I think he stepped up when we needed it.”
Simon is one of the top wide receivers in the area, and he’s Tsagalis’ favorite target. The senior caught four passes for 119 yards with touchdown catches of 27 and 43 yards.
“They were only covering me with one guy,” Simon said. “The past couple weeks I’ve been seeing more double teams, and that has opened up other receivers who are stepping up. That’s been big for us.”
Notre Dame (6-1, 4-1) never got much going on the ground, but it didn’t need to. Jimmy Topping rushed 10 times for 24 yards and one touchdown.
“We scored so quick that our offense really wasn’t on the field much,” Tsagalis said. “I think we lacked some energy because of that.” The Dons officially clinched a spot in the state playoffs with the victory.
“Last year we went to Week 9 at 4-4 and needed a win,” Tsagalis said. “Just knowing that we are going to make the playoffs no matter what happens is a great feeling.”