Wilmington takes care of St. Joseph-Ogden
By Dennis Nelson For Sun-Times Media November 3, 2012 11:40PM
Wilmington’s running back Mike Wolf (13) runs for a 12 yard touchdown in the first quarter against ST. Joseph Ogden at Wilmington, Saturday November, 3, 2012. | Ray Luna ~ For Sun-Times Media
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Wilmington’s Mike Wolfe rushed for 175 yards and four touchdowns in the first half of the Wildcats’ 48-8 win over St. Joseph-Ogden.
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Wilmington and St. Joseph-Ogden was tabbed a classic battle between a stingy defense and explosive offense.
That meant something had to give and it was St. Joseph-Ogden’s defense during host Wilmington’s 48-8 Class 3A second-round victory Saturday night.
Wilmington’s offense erupted for 41 first-half points and its defense limited the high-powered St. Joseph-Ogden offense to 13 yards through two quarters.
The Wildcats victory set up a quarterfinal match between No. 11 Wilmington (10-2) and No. 2 Newman Central Catholic (12-0) next weekend in Wilmington.
Mike Wolfe (13 carries, 175 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Chris Tworek (11 carries, 84 yards, 2 touchdowns) combined for five first-half touchdowns as Wilmington advanced to the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs for the first time in four years.
“We just clicked,” Wilmington coach Jeff Reents said. “That’s as good of a half of playoff football I’ve seen. I’ve been here 19 years and we’ve had some good ones. But that half ranks right up there.”
It was the third time Wilmington eliminated No. 3 St. Joseph-Ogden (9-2) from the state playoffs in the last five years. St. Joseph-Ogden came into the game averaging 36.1 points per contest.
After its defense forced a three-and-out, Wilmington was faced with the same situation on its first possession. Austin Skoryi responded with a 37-yard run on a draw play on third-and-28 to give the hosts a first down on the Spartans 16.
Two plays later, Wolfe ran 12 yards for a score to start the onslaught.
Wolfe added touchdown runs of 49 and 15 yards in the first quarter, staking the Wildcats to a 20-0 lead. In the second quarter, Tworek took over, scoring from 1 and 33 yards away. Wolfe put the finishing touches on a dominant first half with a 5-yard touchdown run with 12.8 seconds to go in the second quarter. Wilmington led 41-0 at the half.
On the defensive side, Andy Rodawald’s interception set up Wolfe’s second touchdown run in the first quarter. Alex Zlomie had an interception at the end of the first quarter to end a St. Joseph-Ogden drive.
