By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
NOBLESVILLE – The second Class 3A Sectional 29 football semifinal on Friday, Oct. 31 was a later kickoff, but that didn’t affect Guerin Catholic and its mission to get back to the sectional championship for the third time in four years.
After scoring on its initial series, Guerin made it look easy offensively on the way to blowing out Crawfordsville, 45-7.
Crawfordsville took their first series down to the Guerin 5 and turned it over on downs with clutch defense by the Golden Eagles, despite giving up over 60 rushing yards.
“Some of what they do offensively is a little difficult to replicate, especially because they have good players and they do have a unique scheme where they’re shifting linemen and getting unbalanced back-and-forth,” said Guerin Catholic head coach Tom Dilley.
It wasn’t the defensive start that Guerin’s coaching staff wanted. The players made the adjustments and that was exactly what it took to slow down the Athenian offense.
“We had some trouble fitting in some things and we were a little bit on our heels. Eventually, the guys got their bearings and got a stop, but still that’s way too much to give up,” Dilley added. “We need to start better on defense than we have the last couple of games. A lot of credit to Crawfordsville. That had a good scheme and a good plan.”
Guerin’s first offensive series got them going in the right direction. Starting at their own five, the Golden Eagles marched 95 yards in 13 plays, capping off the drive with a four-yard run by Jack Linden for the 7-0 lead.
“With that stop, there’s good news and bad news. You’re backed up and your offense needs to step up and pound it out. Our offensive line did a pretty good job of displacing their front most of the night, getting some movement,” Dilley said. “Jack obviously ran real hard and [quarterback] Quentin [Klee] kept it when he should and he spit it out when he was supposed to and coach Muchner called some shots every once in a while when he needed to, too.”
Nick Wilson put a 20-yard chip shot through the uprights a few minutes into the second for a 10-0 lead.
Crawfordsville scored its lone touchdown with 3:28 left in the half on a Mason McCarty quarterback run to cut it to 10-7.
Guerin went 80 yards in very little time. Linden scored on a five-yard run for the 17-7 halftime lead.
Linden’s third touchdown on the first possession of the third made it 24-7.
The Athenians gave the ball to the Golden Eagles, turning it back over on downs at the 22 after gaining just six yards.
Two plays later, Linden found the end zone for the fourth time for a 31-7 advantage.
“We know what kind of player Jack is. His statistics might be a little limited during the year, but the offensive line keeps getting better,” Dilley said. “Jack is always going to be the tough player that he is. Earlier this year, he played awfully well, even when he wasn’t getting the ball. He played well when he caught the ball. We know what we can do and that, in turn, helps set up Quentin keeping the ball once in a while and that also sets up favorable coverages on the outside.”
Athenian quarterback Mason McCarty fumbled on Crawfordsville’s next series. Bryce Kissel recovered it at the 13.
After a penalty, Klee found Isaac Justin for a 23-yard TD for 38-7.
Nolan Ratcliff picked off McCarty. Guerin drove down and Grady Williamson scored the final TD.
Linden ran 26 times for 161 yards and four scores. Quentin Klee was 14 of 16 for 139 yards.
Guerin Catholic (7-4) moves on to the sectional championship at third-ranked Cascade (11-0).
“We know Cascade’s reputation. We’ve been focusing on our next opponent, certainly preparing every week as well as we possibly can and that’ll have to continue next week. Obviously it will be a big challenge and I think our guys will be fired up for it,” Dilley said.
