St. Patrick Wins Playoff Opener 49-28 over Wauconda

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT BY JOHN MONTGOMERY 

When St Patrick quarterback Gavin Gardiner is on top of his game the Shamrocks are hard to beat. Gardiner who had 11 touchdown tosses in his junior season, added three touchdown passes to help his team overcome a wild first half in the Class 5A playoff opener at Wauconda (9-1). The Shamrocks eventually prevailed 49-28 after a wild day in Wauconda after leading 35-21 at halftime after game was tied at 14.

Gardiner might have played his best game completing 16 of 19 passes for 229 yards in the first 24 minutes and finished the contest with 25 completions for 274 yards.

"Gavin can be the best player in the state this year," Anthony Catron stated earlier this season.

"Anthony is an amazing player," Gardiner said on his talented teammate. "He runs so hard.

Anthony Catron, who was named section player of the year in CCL Purple, had another solid performance with 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

This dynamic duo for Shamrocks has now combined for 25 touchdowns this season. The Shamrocks went 2-7 last season as Catron broke his leg.

"Wauconda is a tough team," St Patrick first year head coach Tom Zbikowski said after the win. "They played hard. They didn't quit."

Gardiner is blessed with talented group of receivers. Seven different players caught passes. His favorite target this season has been Tim Schayer. Schayer, who has caught 52 passes this season, had 14 catches for 185 yards with two trips into the end zone.

St. Patrick put the unbeaten home team away in fourth quarter by scoring on a 17-yard run by Catron and interception return for touchdown by Kevin Michaelsen.

The Shamrocks amassed 465 yards while allowing 384 yards but forced four turnovers.

Tom Zbikowski was named Coach of the Year as eight players were chosen all section for helping lead the Shamrocks to the division championship while center Eli Valencia was named the best lineman.

St. Patrick will now turn its attention to Saturday night showdown at Triton College against three-time state football champion Cary Grove [8-2] who has one of the best running games averaging 37 points per game.

Shamrocks Advance to Playoffs with Win over St. Viator

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT BY JOHN MONTGOMERY 

Mission accomplished.

The varsity football team had two major goals this season under first-year head coach and former NFL player Tom Zbikowski. St Pat's (5-4) was hoping to win the Catholic League Purple section title and advance to the state football playoff for the first time in four years.

“I believe in him one hundred percent,” Principal John Harrington said about Zbikowski. “I don't have a timeline for a turnaround. He has done a great job of turning around the program.”

The Shamrocks are celebrating both accomplishments after beating St. Viator (1-8) 44-21 last Friday night at Triton College.

 Anthony Catron playing in his final regular season home game with 34 other senior football players rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown while junior Gavin Gardiner rebounded from back-to-back subpar performances by completing 12 of 23 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown. The dynamic duo on offense has combined for  2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.

“It means a lot to the boys to win the division and advance to state playoffs,” Zbikowski said after the win. “I appreciate their effort. They have worked hard. I love all of my players.”

Postseason play in Class 5A begins next weekend against unbeaten Wauconda (9-0) on the road.

Prairie View (9-0) who has won state football championship on three occasions is the top seeded squad in Class 5A while Montini (9-0) was in placed as top team in Class 4A. 

Mt Carmel (9-0) considered by many people to be the best football program in our state is the top seed in Class 8A after beating Loyola (4-4) 35-24. The Caravan who has won state record 16 titles starts next weekend in the opening round with rematch against the Ramblers.

St Pat's handed struggling St.Viator it’s eighth straight loss under former Chicago Bear kicker Ribbie Gould by building a 34-7 lead at halftime.

Catron ran for 143 yards in the first half while Gardiner contributed with a touchdown toss and quarterback sneak into end zone.

Shamrocks closed the second quarter with an impressive 93-yard drive as Gardiner threw a 16-yard scoring pass to Tim Schayer.

The Lions didn't quit closing the gap to 37-21 before St Patrick put the game away with a six minute drive that ended with a one yard run by Jayden Miranda.

This game was rather chippy and ohysical matchup with 21 penalties called on both teams.

Zbikowski's focus is now on Wauconda.

In the off-season, the Shamrocks will need to replace 35 seniors. The freshman team went 4-5 while Shamrock sophomores won five football games.

The state football finals with eight championship games is Thanksgiving Weekend at Illinois State.