By Greg Swiderski ’72
The St. Patrick football team made history last Friday when they defeated Rochelle 21-14 at Triton College.
The Shamrocks who had never won a second round game in five attempts pulled out a winner and advanced to the Class 5A quarterfinals.
St. Patrick will now take on #9 seed Sycamore (8-3) this weekend. The game will be played at Sycamore this Saturday, November 13. Kick off is 2 pm.
Senior running back Alex Goworowski put on a show with three touchdowns against the Hubs. Goworowski rushed 15 times for 209 yards.
“This was just amazing,” said Goworowski. “My O-line gave me the holes and I got through them. I knew that as a freshman this team could be special.”
“Goworowski means so much to the school, the team, and the community,” said head coach Adam Guerra. He’s just a monster.”
The offensive line consisting of Joseph Thornton, Carl Verde, Adrien DeLaPena, Jeremy Mendyk, Patrick Briskey, and tight end Braden Kumiega paved the way for the Shamrocks 352 yards of offense.
Quarterback Jermiane Young added 76 yards rushing on 17 attempts. Young also connected on 6 of 7 passes for 56 yards.
St. Pat’s scored on their second drive of the game going 88 yards in 7 plays. Goworowski scored on a 6 yard run with 8:36 left in the first half. Michael Schwab kicked the first of three extra points for a 7-0 lead.
Jack Fuller returned a Rochelle (8-3) punt 17 yards to the Hub 38 yard line moments later.
Trever Wozny gained 8 yards on first down. Goworowski then broke several tackles and went up the middle to score from the 30 with 5:59 left in the half and a 14-0 lead.
Rochelle scored with :02 left in the first half when quarterback Josh Lloyd connected with Jack Pavlak on a 5 yard touchdown pass cutting the lead to 14-7.
The Shamrocks received the break of the second half when Anthony Cali recovered a Rochelle fumble at the St. Pat 15.
Young threw a 18 yard completion to Esai Sinceno, and then ran for a 14 yard gain before Goworowski scored on a 44 yard run to make the score 21-7 with 5:05 left in the quarter.
The Hubs Cody Stover-Cullum scored from the 5 yard line to cut the score to 21-14 with 4:15 left in the game.
The Hubs tried an on-side kick only to have Wozny recover at the St. Pat 49.
Goworowski’s runs of 19 and 15 kept the ball in control of the offense and ran out the clock for the win.
“I’m so proud of these players,” said Guerra. “We knew Rochelle’s would be a challenge for our defense. We’re going to enjoy this win.”
The Shamrock defense held the potent Rochelle rushing attack to 181 yards and 38 yards passing.
Senior Nickolas Armenta spoke about the defense.
“We were really focused on their running game,” said Armenta. “It was a type of offense that we had not seen before. We adjusted to it. We knew as the season went on we would have a hard hitting defense. Our tough schedule helped us get ready for the playoffs.”
St. Patrick defeated the #4 seed Sterling the week previous and the #5 Hubs.
Sycamore knocked off the top seed Glenbard South Saturday 36-0.
