Knights storm past Falcons

State’s top-ranked team scores 35 straight points as Fenwick suffers second loss.

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By John Bombatch, Staff Writer 1:25 AM Saturday, October 10, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Coaches preach the importance of hanging onto the ball all the time, and Friday’s game between the host Fenwick Falcons and the state’s top-ranked Alter Knights was proof of that.

After Fenwick surprised the Knights with an 8-play, 60-yard scoring drive to take a 7-0 lead, Alter scored 35 unanswered points to take control of game and and win 35-7 at Krusling Field.

Alter (7-0, 4-0 Greater Catholic League North) began its rally with a 7-play, 68-yard drive. Cody Taulbee capped the drive with a 3-yard run around the right side. Andrew DiMario added the first of his five extra-point kicks and the game was tied 7-all with 4:03 left to play in the first.

“That wasn’t the first time we’d been behind this season, but you never want to get too far behind when it’s a rainy, sloppy game like this,” Alter coach Ed Domsitz said. “We knew we were up against a pretty good Fenwick team, and we didn’t want to get in a deeper hole against them.”

Field position was also critical under the monsoon conditions.

Fenwick was driving with a chance to tie the game at 14-all, but fumbled the ball after Sam Keegan had snagged a pass from Tyler Murphy and appeared on his way into the end zone. The ball was knocked loose at the Alter 5-yard line and the Knights’ recovered in the end zone to end the threat.

Keegan led Fenwick (4-2, 2-2 GCL North) with 75 yards rushing on 14 carries. He also was the leading receiver with five catches for 50 yards.

“We’re a heckuva football team,” Fenwick coach Fred Cranford said. “But we can’t continue to give opponents like Alter big opportunities. I think that fumble in their end zone turned the momentum their way for good.”

Later, Fenwick was forced to punt from its own 20 and Knight senior Connor Cummins returned the punt to the Fenwick 5-yard line. Two plays later, junior back Justin Winters bowled in from a couple yards out and Alter was ahead for good.

Zane Pitzer led Alter with 116 yards rushing on a dozen carries while masterfully directing a wishbone option offense, and Taulbee finished with 77 yards on 15 hauls.

Despite the loss, Murphy remained encouraged after his Falcons hung with the state’s top team.

“After that game, we know we can play with the best,” a muddy Murphy said. “That’s the top team in Division IV, so we just have to work these next three weeks and keep working hard to get into the playoffs.”

Alter will play at Roger Bacon on Friday. Fenwick travels to Hamilton to play Badin next Saturday at Hamilton High’s Virgil Schwarm Stadium.

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