Minooka passing game busts out in big way
By MARK JOHNSON
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mjohnson@morrisdailyherald.com
MINOOKA — When Minooka ran onto the field for its second series Friday night, it had played nearly an entire game and a half since its last completed pass.
Two weeks prior, in a 34-14 victory at Oswego, Minooka quarterback Mitch Brozovich was 7-of-14 pass attempts for 98 yards. He was 3-for-3 during the second half, but after hitting Cody Carter for a 6-yard gain with about 2:00 left in the third quarter, Brozovich did not attempt another pass. Offensive coordinator Frank Yudzentis dialed up nothing but running plays the rest of the way.
The following week, the Indians concluded the regular season with a 21-13 victory at Plainfield Central. Rain fell steadily prior to the game, and sporadically during it, which made throwing the ball difficult. The Indians were shut out on all four of their pass attempts.
"Yeah, I didn't complete a pass that night," said Brozovich. "It was a tough night to throw."
Yudzentis had the Indians run five running plays to begin Friday night's playoff game against Edwardsville. They attempted their first pass play on third-and-5 from the Edwardsville 17. Brozovich found Blake Montella open over the middle, but the pass glanced off Montella's hands.
"I just dropped the ball," said Montella. "That one was on me."
When the Indians retook the field on offense just over 2:00 of game time later, Yudzentis gave Brozovich and Montella another shot. Brozovich ran a play-action fake before passing to Montella over the middle of the field. Montella deked past the one defender in his path on his way to a 50-yard touchdown — the first for the Indians on their way to a 44-25 victory.
"It shows that he [Yudzentis] kept his trust in us to do what we need to do on that play," said Montella, who caught four passes for 91 yards during the regular season. "I just ran downfield and [Brozovich] saw me and got me the ball. It was a jet pass. I haven't been that open this year, for sure."
The Indians rushed for 2,431 yards during the regular season and gained a small-by-comparison total of 368 yards through the air. As the touchdown pass to Montella demonstrated, Brozovich and the Indians are capable of beating defenses with their passing game when it is necessary.
"It showed that we can do more than just run the ball," said Brozovich. "I think we know that we can pass the ball well. It comes down to me making throws, the line giving me time and the wide receivers getting open and making catches."
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