Roncalli Bests Bishop Chatard

The Roncalli Rebels entered conference play Week Three with a trip to Brebeuf Jesuit; however, it was the Bishop Chatard Trojans awaiting them.  The Trojans had already played at St. Vincent Health field Week One when they bested the hosting Braves, 27-17.  Friday night’s match-up would determine sole possession of first place atop the Circle City Conference.
After a series of short-lived drives, the Rebels were finally in business after a Pete Baker interception set them up at the Chatard 37.  A 31 yard pass form Conner Gore to Michael Dill was followed by a 6 yard Gore rush for the score.  Merrick Strykowski secured the PAT, making the score 7-0.
Elijah Mahan broke off a 46 yard run on the first play of the next Roncalli possession to set up a 1st and 10 from the Chatard 15.  Just as they had been twice the week before, the stout Trojan defensive front was up to the task of a goal line stand.  Roncalli turned the ball over on downs after being stuffed on 4th and 1.  Unable to make any headway, the Trojans were forced to punt the ball away again, giving the Rebels control deep in Chatard territory.  A 35 yard run by Gore was eventually followed by a 6 yard scamper for a score by Patrick McManama.  Strykowski’s PAT brought the score to 14-0, which would remain unchanged through the second quarter.
Roncalli would put together its final scoring drive of the night with their second possession of the second half.  Beginning at their own 24 yard line, Mahan got things started with a 12 yard run.  Facing a 3rd and 10, Gore found Dill for a gain of 19.  They immediately hooked up again for another 12 yard gain.  Hunter Miller then came in to rush for 23 yards on three carries.  Eventually, McManama was able to break the plane for his second score of the evening on a one yard run just off the left tackle.
The Trojans refused to go away quietly.  Daylen Thomas got the ball rolling with a 23 yard run on 2nd and 10.  Mark Nondorf followed this up with three completions to Andrew Sowinski.  The drive would eventually be terminated at the Roncalli 11 when a 4th and 3 pass fell incomplete.  Nico Sowinski intercepted Gore on third down, setting up the Trojans at the 26, but after four incompletions, Roncalli regained control of the ball.  The Rebels held the ball for just over three minutes before losing it on downs at the Chatard 26.
Nondorf efficiently orchestrated Chatard’s first scoring drive.  After gaining twenty yards by way of defensive penalties, the Trojans mixed the run with the pass to eventually set up a 22 yard touchdown pass from Nondorf to Andrew Sowinski.  Ben Schrage’s PAT made the score 21-7.  Chatard would return to the red zone in the closing minutes of the game, but would eventually turn the ball over on downs.
Roncalli improved to 3-0 (1-0 in the conference) and extended their winning streak to 18.  The Rebels will next face the Plainfield Quakers next Friday at home at 7:00.  Bishop Chatard falls to 1-2 (1-1).  They will face the Catherdral Fighting Irish at the University of Indianapolis also on Friday at 7:00.
A full album of pictures and videos can be found at https://goo.gl/photos/SC2tASGBomaoFy4j9