Defense is the name of the game for Catholic Central

By SCOTT M. BURNSTEIN
Special to The Oakland Press

NOVI — The defense over at Novi Detroit Catholic Central is so shutout happy this season, the Tigers should consider signing the Shamrocks to a contract and starting them on the mound against Minnesota on Tuesday in their one game playoff for the Central Division title. Catholic Central put another zero-spot on the board for its opponents Sunday afternoon, shutting out visiting Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 27-0, in the annual Boys Bowl game.

Improving their record to an unblemished 6-0, the Shamrocks now have four shutout wins on the year, while only having allowed a total of 13 points on defense. St Mary's falls to 2-3 overall, and needs a victory over Birmingham Brother Rice this Saturday in order to keep its playoff hopes alive.

“This defense is all heart,” said senior linebacker and captain, Mike Kinville, who led the sturdy Catholic Central effort in the trenches with 11 tackles. “We worked so hard this past offseason in the weight room and studying the playbook, it's great to see it all finally paying off on the field and in the win column. The whole unit takes pride in trying to put up all zeroes on the scoreboard against whoever we're playing. We just leave it all out there every time we hit the field, and let the chips fall where they may.”

The Shamrocks jumped in front 14-0 midway through the second quarter, courtesy of a 22-yard reception by tailback Anthony Captaina and a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Sam Landry. Justin D'Agostino's 30-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half gave Catholic Central a 17-0 lead at the break.

Kinville and the Shamrocks defense made fast work of the Eaglets in the third quarter, halting St. Mary's first drive of the second half via a Ben Diaz fumble recovery that he returned to the 10-yard line.

Kinville helped make the play possible, flushing Eaglets' quarterback Robert Bolden out of the pocket and hitting him just as he released the ball. Senior fullback Niko Palazeti barreled into the end zone from 2-yards out four plays later, and Catholic Central had a commanding 24-0 lead. D'Agostino's 34-yard field goal in the fourth quarter closed out the game's scoring.

The shutout was preserved with under six minutes to play, when Kinville recovered a St. Mary's fumble at the Shamrocks 7-yard line. Catholic Central forced three Eaglets turnovers on the day. On the previous snap, senior cornerback Jon Savakus broke up what appeared to be a sure Bolden touchdown pass in the end zone by diving and knocking it away from the intended receiver at the last possible second.

Palazeti, who had a gamehigh 146 yards on the ground and left the game late with a shoulder injury, was in good spirits after the win.

“We're just taking it to other teams this year and it feels good,” he said. “The defense is like a brick house every week, and the offense is as efficient as they come. This is smashmouth football at its best and we're proud to be playing it. “

This was the 64th Boys Bowl, a game that Catholic Central started and has played in since 1944. Last season, the Shamrocks lost the contest to Warren De La Salle, a team they're set to face on the road this Saturday.

Prep Football

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