Story
No. 6 Cardinal Newman 27, Wellington 19: Crusaders escape with win
Friday, October 05, 2012
by
Zach Buckley
Wellington's special teams were stellar Friday night.
Luckily for sixth-ranked Cardinal Newman (6-0), it won enough battles on offense and defense to escape with a 27-19 victory over the Wolverines (3-3).
With Wellington trailing 27-16 with 18 seconds left in the game, Wolverines coach Thomas Abel called on his kicker, sophomore Nicholas Rubinowicz, who converted his fourth field goal of the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Rubinowicz lofted the ball over Cardinal Newman's hands team and Wellington's James Foster recovered the kick at the Crusaders' 25-yard-line.
But junior quarterback Cole Smallridge, who finished 5-for-11 for 80 yards, threw three straight incomplete passes before time expired.
"We got the ball back there and were supposed to score," Abel said. "But we just couldn't do it."
In addition to the onside-kick recovery, Cardinal Newman's special teams allowed two lengthy kickoff returns to sophomore Shamar Jackson, both of which set up drives that ended with Wellington points.
"We're bad on special teams," Crusaders coach Steve Walsh said. "Kickoff coverage has been our Achilles' (heel) all year, and they exploited it on us with good field position."
But when faced with a short field, Cardinal Newman's defense responded, holding Wellington to one touchdown, a 13-yard run by junior running back Matt Sabatino in the second quarter, in four red zone trips.
Offensively, the Crusaders' aerial attack was something of a new wrinkle in their playbook.
"They are a really physical team," Walsh said. "We figured we would have to pass it more."
Senior quarterback George Mastics completed 11 of his 17 attempts for 147 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Matt Burke had six catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, and receiver Travis Rudolph added four receptions for 65 yards.
Cardinal Newman controlled much of the first half, but a four-play, 38-yard drive (aided by a 15-yard pass-interference penalty on third down) ended with a 42-yard Rubinowicz field goal that ended the half with the Wolverines trailing 14-13.
The Wolverines grabbed a 16-14 lead late in the third quarter on a 35-yard field goal from Rubinowicz, but the Crusaders answered with consecutive scoring drives.
Erick Hardnett's 23-yard rushing touchdown with 52.9 seconds left in the third gave Cardinal Newman a 21-16 lead, and a 9-yard touchdown run from Travis Rudolph with 6:14 remaining in the fourth quarter added needed insurance.
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User Comments:
Newman 1 commented on October 6, 2012 at 12:08 a.m.: report abuse
Great job Crusaders on silencing the obnoxious Cannon in the 2nd half.
old coach commented on October 6, 2012 at 8:04 a.m.: report abuse
rough home coming but the kids played hard as usual. just need better play calling.
WHS supporter commented on October 6, 2012 at 9:05 a.m.: report abuse
Great job by Wellington!. They had chances until late in the game with the ball at the 25 yd line. They gave up a couple of big plays, especially the 3 rd and 20 at the end of the 3rd quarter. But overall, we saw the same tough hard nose team with never-give up attitude which we have seen earlier in the year. Home field certainly suits them well. Special teams were outstanding. Two great kickoff returns, a recovered onside kick, and a great night for the kicker. He had four field goals from 30, 35, 40 and a 42 yd as time expired in the first half (to give well a boost ), three deep touch backs, a successful onside kick and a td saving tackle during a punt return. The offense seemed energized ( compared to two previous games), and were able to run the ball and move the sticks. Defense was physical as always.
This is a team that is improving and is developing an identity which can be the foundation of a stronger teams in the years to come.
to whs supporter commented on October 6, 2012 at 12:42 p.m.: report abuse
thanx for the self promotion coach abel
Independent observer commented on October 6, 2012 at 3:21 p.m.: report abuse
The coaching staff at whs do not need to do that. The team's performance speaks for itself.
We, in the town of wellington, are very proud of our boys and the effort they are putting in this season. The results may not be immediate, but the reward will come. The tide is already turning.
to observer commented on October 6, 2012 at 7:35 p.m.: report abuse
i appreciate the desire to believe but wellington kids try hard, fight hard, and play together every year. look at our district championship team two years ago and the number of college players that came from that team.
@ Newman commented on October 8, 2012 at 4:59 p.m.: report abuse
with all your recruits you could barely beat Kings or Wellington. They both gave you a game and are not suppose to be in the same field with you mighty Newmen women. As Arnold says your girly men or boys. Wait to you line up with heritage running clock by third q easy, and if they want to give the ball to Bryant so he can run it down your throat all night like 300 plus yards, but they will want to get some others in to play to get ready for playoffs. You guys are pitiful.
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