Indians finding keys to victory
By MARK JOHNSON
-
mjohnson@morrisdailyherald.com
MINOOKA — The last time the Minooka Indians allowed as many points as they did Friday night, they were routed 38-14 by Glenbrook South to open the season.
If Friday's 44-25 Class 7A playoff defeat of Edwardsville proved anything, it is that the Indians have learned how to win when their defense is not at its best. For most of 2009, they have not had the opportunity to prove themselves in that regard. Their defense held the opposition to 14 or fewer points in all but two of their regular-season games.
Early on, the Indians appeared ready to tame the offense of the Tigers. Edwardsville was shut out during the first quarter, with the Indians forcing a pair of turnovers. But as the game wore on, the Tigers began to accumulate yards and points. They scored touchdowns in each of the last three quarters and wound up with 328 rushing yards and 14 first downs.
"We had some issues with our keys," said senior Minooka linebacker Brandon Haase. "They gave us a bunch of different looks and at times did some different things than we expected them to do. They threw us off a little bit. Fortunately, we had some turnovers and big plays to help us out."
Whatever Minooka lacked defensively against Edwardsville, it made up for when it possessed the ball. It scored five offensive touchdowns and another on defense, and kicker Anthony Kalewski also connected on a field goal.
It was the sixth time this season that the Indians scored 34 or more points in a game. They eclipsed their 44-point output on two prior occasions — Week 2, when they defeated Zion-Benton 49-6, and Week 7, when they outscored Romeoville 56-22.
"The offense did a great job," said Haase. "They made our jobs on defense so much easier, and that was a good thing, because we had some issues. But this win was all about our offense. They went out there and played to win and punched them right in the mouth."
One week prior to Friday, junior tailback Kyle Banks was the workhorse for the Indians. In a 21-13 victory at Plainfield Central, Banks rushed 20 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He was effective again against Edwardsville, carrying 23 times for 112 yards and a late touchdown.
As Edwardsville gave considerable defensive attention to Banks, junior quarterback Mitch Brozovich stole the show. He gained 189 of Minooka's 320 rushing yards on just 15 attempts. Brozovich scored a total of three touchdowns — two on the ground, and one on a pass. He finished 4-for-6 for 73 yards in the passing game.
"Central shut me down," said Brozovich, who did not complete a pass against the Wildcats. "I don't think they were expecting me to carry the ball as much as I did. But it's all the line. They should get all the credit."
At different points throughout the season, many different aspects of the Minooka team have deserved credit for the success the team has had.
"Many times it has been our defense," said Minooka coach Bert Kooi. "Other times it's been our offense, whether we've run the ball well or had to throw it. Even our special teams have had their moments."
Comments
