Benet’s Andrew Valadka sustains spinal fracture in Redwings win

SHARE Benet’s Andrew Valadka sustains spinal fracture in Redwings win
FBLbenet_HSC_101214_5_630x420.jpg

Benet snapped a two-game losing streak, getting to playoff eligibility in the process with its 24-21 victory over Carmel last night, but team members’ thoughts and prayers are squarely with Andrew Valadka right now.

Benet athletic director Gary Goforth was told this morning that Valadka, a senior defensive back, suffered a spinal fracture during the Redwings’ victory over the Corsairs.

“I didn’t see it because I was on the other end of the field. I guess (Valadka) was going for a tackle and he was kind of bent over in an awkward position and his head was kind of leaning in an awkward position,” Goforth said when reached on Saturday afternoon. “I guess the blow came about toward the head. (Benet coach) Pat (New) might know more than I do because Pat might have seen it from where he was standing.”

Goforth said Valadka was due to undergo another surgery on Saturday afternoon after surgery Saturday morning.

“I hope he’s going to do all right,” Goforth said. “I know the surgery this morning was designed to relieve pressure in place, but I don’t know what they found or anything like that. So I’ll know more after today’s second surgery.”

Valadka has two interceptions on the year for the Redwings, who are 5-2 entering their game with Joliet Catholic next week.

Wheaton Warrenville South 41, Naperville North 0: Wheaton Warrenville South (3-4, 2-1) was sparked by Jonathon Johnson’s game-high 146 yards and three touchdowns and senior wide receiver Keishawn Watson’s 145 total yards and two TDs. The Wheaton South defense held Naperville North (2-5, 0-3) in check. Managing just one first down and 39 yards in the first half, the Huskies’ offense finished with just 140 yards.

Metea Valley 48, East Aurora 6: Mustangs (4-3, 3-2) had three runners and three receivers each score TDs in the Upstate Eight Valley win over the Tomcats (0-7, 0-5). Bryson Oliver (5 carries, 60 yards), had a 7-yard TD run and QB Kyle Mooney connected with Nick Dodson and Michael Sfikas on TD passes of 18 and 9 yards, respectively, all in the first quarter. RB Immanuel Palmer (18-65) scored on a 10-yard second-half TD, capping a drive that featured RB Armani Cummings (9-98).

The Latest
Only two days after an embarrassing loss to lowly Washington, the Bulls put on a defensive clinic against Indiana.
One woman suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. In each incident, the four to five men armed with rifles, handguns and knives, approached victims on the street in Logan Square, Portage Park, Avondale, Hermosa threatened or struck them before taking their belongings, police said.
For as big of a tournament moment as Terrence Shannon Jr. is having, it hasn’t been deemed “madness” because, under the brightest lights, he has been silent.
This year, to continue making history, the Illini will have to get past No. 2-seeded Iowa State.