By Mike Miazga
The IC Catholic Prep football team’s defense turned in some eye-opening numbers in a Week 2 win against St. Mary’s South Side out of St. Louis, Missouri.
In a game played at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, the Knights’ defense registered 16 tackles for loss, with 15 different ICCP players registering at least one in a 42-14 triumph.
Sophomore Mason Spillone had six tackles including two for loss.
The No.2-state-ranked Knights (2-0) also had four interceptions (75 total interception return yards), one each by Anthony Carroccio, Jaden Penna, Jalen Banks and Johanye Andrew.
Penna also recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
Defensively, Banks and sophomore Nicky Mertz led the way with nine tackles each, while Will Schmidt had eight (1 for loss) and Grant Bowen also had eight tackles. KJ Reese had six tackles. Ignazio Calabria and Josh Shaw each had two quarterback hurries. Andrew had two pass deflections.
IC Catholic Prep quarterback Nate Lang completed 15 of 23 passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns. Bowen caught four passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns (66-yard long catch) and Penna had four catches for 110 yards and a touchdown (37-yard long catch). Carroccio had an 11-yard touchdown catch. Jakobe Baldwin caught four passes for 29 yards, while Jacob Riera had four catches for eight yards. Lang completed passes to seven different ICCP receivers.
Badwin also ran nine times for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Quai McGee helped on special teams with 65 kickoff-return yards and 43 punt-return yards. Ryan Putz kicked five extra points and connected on one field goal.
IC Catholic Prep led 26-7 after the first quarter and 29-14 at halftime. The Knights scored 13 more points in the third quarter.
