Catholic Blue Final X-Ray, 2006 . . .

  Here's a look at the CL Blue final, which was played Saturday,
Dec. 2, 7 p.m., at Northeast's Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium. Wood
was coached by Joe Powel. West was coached by Brian Fluck.
  Go to bottom of page for Huck's website report on the teams'
first meeting.

PROJECTED ROTATION MEMBERS . . .

STATISTICAL LEADERS . . .

THE FIRST TIME . . .

Huck's Report
NOV. 4
CL BLUE
West Catholic 13, Wood 12
   The Vikings entered this CL Blue finale with an 18-game regular season winning streak. Counting the playoffs they had been winners of 22 straight versus their league counterparts. The last team to beat them in the regular season was Archbishop Carroll, 27-14, in ’04. In last season’s regular season finale Wood stopped a 15-game CL Blue winning streak of the Burrs. The win tonight allowed the Burrs to capture first place and the top seed in the forthcoming playoffs. For a short time at least, this outcome should help ease the pain of the three consecutive title game defeats the Burrs have experienced thanks to the Vikings. Yes, they are the 2006 CL Blue regular season champs, and no one can take that from them. However, if they’re smart they won’t bask in the glory too long, because the ultimate goal of a championship is still the top prize. I’m fairly confident that we haven’t heard the last of the Vikings just yet, nor should their opponent in a semifinal match-up be overlooked. This West team is young and at times brazen, but there is a fine line between them playing well and struggling on some nights. Still, you just have love the growth they have demonstrated throughout the year. Defense was the overwhelming theme in this one as both teams were hard-nosed throughout. The Vikings basically controlled the ball for long stretches and at the half had a 28-to-13 play advantage. However, they trailed where it counted most, the scoreboard, 7-6. Wood grabbed a 6-0 lead on a 26-yard half-back pass from sr. RB/WR/DB Pat Devlin to sr. WR/DB Chris Lorditch early in the second quarter. The play occurred on a fourth-and-11 situation. On the play, Devlin took a pitch and rolled to his right hurling the ball to the back of the end zone where Lorditch out-jumped three West defenders. It was a slight hesitation by both Burr safeties that allowed Lorditch to get the necessary space to make the catch. Lorditch then pounded the extra-point wide left. West wasted little time in answering, as sr. RB Dennis Shaw scooted through the right-side and outran the Wood secondary down the right sideline for a 57-yard touchdown. Sr. K Dennis Fox’s PAT was successful and Burrs grabbed a 7-6 lead that they would take into the locker room. The Vikings hurt themselves in the first half by losing two fumbles in Burr territory. To start the second half Wood forced a three-and-out and a punt by the Burrs. They took over at their 19-yard line and proceeded to unleash an 11-play drive that concluded with a 12-yard touchdown reception by Devlin from jr. QB Mike Cattolico. This would be the Vikings only possession of the third quarter. On West ensuing series they started at the Wood 49-yard line after a 15-yard personal foul call on the Vikings. Soph. QB Curtis Drake’s only completion of the game, an 11-yarder to jr. WR Rodney Blango converted a third down and put the ball at the Wood thirty-eight. Shaw converted yet another third down with a clutch 16-yard gallop down to the twenty-four. Then, to start the fourth quarter the Burrs were the recipients of a defensive holding call on another third down, which gave them new life at the Wood 13-yard line. They would take the lead on a beautifully executed reverse that saw Drake sprint to his right and neatly toss back to soph. RB Rob Holloman who had all kinds of daylight and eventually received a solid block from sr. WR Khiry Carter inside the five. The play covered 17 yards. The Burrs went for two, but were denied as Drake was stopped by Lorditch just before the goal line. The score came with 10:55 left. The Vikings would have two more opportunities to regain the lead. Their next possession started at the 49-yard line after a 29-yard kickoff return by Lorditch. However, this possession would last just three plays and end with a pick by sr. LB Chris Booker. After a West three-and-out, the Vikings would begin their next series with 7:10 left at their 35-yard line. Cattolico connected with Devlin for a nice 27-yard pick-up, down to the Burrs’ thirty-seven. This is when the Burr defense really dug-in. On first down, Cattolico was sacked by Booker for a six-yard loss. Next, sr. FB/DT Shane Barrett was stopped for a loss of four by jr. LB Marquese Sanders. After an incomplete pass the Vikings lined up in punt formation. Instead of using Lorditch’s leg to pin the Burrs they opted to use his legs on a fake attempt. The ball was the West 46-yard line and they needed a robust 19 yards to gain a first. On the play, Lordirch raced to his right but was brought down by Sanders after only gaining two yards. Other Burrs were in the area and they seemed to be waiting for it. Still, 4:43 remained and Wood did have all three timeouts left. West Head Coach Brian Fluck chose to take out his smaller back Shaw in favor bigger back soph. RB/DB Raymond Maples (6’0”, 185 lbs). All this kid proceeded to do was provide some big-boy rumbles. He carried the ball on seven consecutive plays and gained in order; 7, 4, 4, 1, 3, 3, 8, 13. Clutch! On many of these runs he broke if not one, but two or more tackles. The big run was the fifth one in this series that converted a third down at the Wood 34-yard line. In the process, the Vikings had to burn all three timeouts. After his last run, all that was needed were two knees by Drake to seal the deal. The Burr defense has shown CONSIDERABLE improvement during the past few weeks. Tonight, they were led by sr. LB Marc Holloway, who recovered a fumble and made a game-high 10 tackles. Sanders, who is as physically gifted as any Burr defender was active with 9 stops (6 solos). Booker, who has quietly been a sound performer for the Burrs this year, had seven stops, including a sack. Sr. LB/DE Anthony Rhoades added a sack. Jr. DB Herman Hinton forced a fumble. Sr. FB Jack Mason also forced a fumble that was recovered by soph. LB Juan Rozier. Much credit has to go to the puppies on the defensive line; freshman Fred Ruff (6’5”, 305 lbs) and Jon Ruppert. Ruff probably played his best game of the year and contributed five tackles. It will be interesting to watch this kid’s progress over the next few years, as his physical attributes already exist. This kid is a mountain! Sr. DE Isiah Edmond was also a factor along the line of scrimmage. The Burrs held the Viking ground attack to just 78 yards on 32 carries. On offense, Shaw went for 93 yards on 13 carries. This total allowed him to eclipse 1,000 yards for the season. This was the seventh consecutive year the Burrs have featured a 1,000-yard rusher. Maples gained 54 yards on 8 carries. All but one carry and eleven yards came on the final drive. I really believe this kid has endless potential. He runs hard (down hill) and more than likely is the fastest Burr. Drake, who has been terrific during the last month, was neutralized by the Viking defense. It was apparent that they game-planned to stop him. Still, he didn’t force anything and didn’t turn the ball over. This was good to see from a young player. For the Vikings, much of their offensive success came through the air. Cattolico finished 8-for-15, for 101 yards. Devlin was active throughout. He caught four balls for 75 yards, added 20 yards on a punt return (ended with a fumble), threw a 26-yard TD pass, but could only manage 30 yards on 12 totes. I say only because in his two prior games he accumulated 496 yards rushing. Lorditch had some moments, but overall I would say that the Burrs contained him. He did manage 36 yards on 3 receptions. Defensively, they were rugged led by jr. LB Bob DeLucas with 8 tackles. Sr. LB Pat McAfee, who I really like, ended with five stops, including 3 TFLs. Sr. LB Eddie Schwartz hustled for six tackles, and Devlin added five. Sr. DB Kevin Lynn (hard-hitter), Barrett, and sr. DE Tim Young evenly spilt 12 tackles. I love soph. OL Adam Citko’s (6’5”, 275 lbs) possibilties and expect him to be a force over the next two years. The Vikings had a 48-to-36 play advantage. Great hustle by West assistant coach Virnest Beale in getting to the game moments before kickoff. Virn served as an official in the Dobbins/Central Pub quarterfinal match-up at Gratz.