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9/27/07-Football
Shamrocks host Eaglets in Boys Bowl
By Jeff Theisen
NOVI NEWS SPORTS WRITER
NOVI--Things just continue to get harder for the Shamrocks as the schedule rolls on.
After losing to Brother Rice and De La Salle in back-to-back weeks, Orchard Lake St. Mary's rolls into Shamrock territory, fresh off a 40-21 thumping of Brother Rice.
"It's disappointing, playing so hard and losing the way that we have the last two weeks," Shamrock head coach Tom Mach said. "But at the same time, we're playing against two top-tier programs. You have to feel good that you're right there.
"Really, you're doing the right things, but you have to finish the game. When you don't do it twice in a row, you've got to keep slugging away and keep believing."
Sunday's contest is also the Boys Bowl, the Shamrock's version of homecoming.
"Every guy that plays football for Catholic Central remembers the Boys Bowl that he played in," Mach said. "Bringing St. Mary's in at this time may be a good thing for us.
"We should be fired up and ready to go after them."
After starting 3-0, the Shamrocks (3-2, 0-2) have played two strong games against good teams, but have come up just short against Brother Rice and De La Salle. Mach knows it's important to stop the losing streak and get a win during this murderous stretch of the schedule.
"You've got to try to win a couple of these games," Mach said. "It's disappointing, but the kids will bounce back. They know they still have a great shot for Catholic League and the playoffs."
The Eaglets (4-0, 2-0) trailed 14-13 to Brother Rice, but they ripped off the final 27 points to blowout Rice.
Big plays were the difference in the ballgame. Three Eaglet touchdowns came on long plays in the third quarter, a 28-yard run, a 72-yard punt return and a 42-yard run.
"St. Mary's is loaded with speed, and that's what did Rice in," Mach said. "They've got a good quarterback, good (running) back and good receivers. They have very, very good speed.
"They've got some guys that are real gamebreakers, and they've got more than a couple."
The Eaglets have been scoring points in droves. They racked up a 42-14 win against Divine Child and last week's 40-21 victory. They are averaging 36.25 points a game, while allowing just 13.75.
Catholic Central is averaging 30 points a week, but the average is skewed by the 49-0 and 56-0 wins. The Shamrocks have scored seven and 14 points in the last two weeks.
Mach was pleased with how his team competed with De La Salle, leading at halftime and taking the Pilots into overtime. He hopes the offense can help the defense.
"Somehow we have to contain them and control the ball and score and keep it away from them as much as possible," Mach said.
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