Joliet Catholic cruises past Benet, but with a twist

In a conference where eight of 10 teams were still in the running for the playoffs, a Week 8 game between two of the top squads figured to go down to the wire.

Instead, Joliet Catholic extended a 13-0 lead with two fourth-quarter touchdowns and the defense did the rest Friday night in the Hilltoppers’ 27-0 East Suburban Catholic win over visiting Benet.

“In our nine-game schedule, this was the best defense we’ll see all year,’’ Benet coach Pat New said.

The offense Joliet Catholic (6-2, 5-1) ran was a surprise to the Redwings. With quarterback Cade Earl out with a knee injury, junior running back Michael Johnson was called on to replace Earl, but from the Wildcat formation.

Johnson responded by rushing for 93 yards on 19 carries ,while Nick Borgra contributed 94 yards on 16 carries.

“Coach (Dan Sharp) told me Sunday, ‘I need you to play quarterback out of the shotgun,’’’ Johnson said. “I looked at him for a second. ‘All right, coach.’ Whole week we’ve been practicing and came out and showed it.’’

Defensively, Joliet held running back Brad Sznajder to 17 yards on 10 carries. Quarterback Jack Sznajder was 18-for-34 for 131 yards and three interceptions for Benet (5-3, 3-3).

“We’re still trying to kind of figure it out and improve offensively, just get a little more consistency,’’ New said.

Joliet Catholic overcame six penalties in the first half and led 10-0 at halftime.

Johnson opened the scoring on a 5-yard run with 1:19 left in the first quarter. It ended a 39-yard drive that was set up by the Hilltoppers’ defense.

Benet had recovered a Joliet Catholic fumble on the Redwings’ 16-yard line, but the Hilltoppers didn’t allow a yard on that possession and were rewarded with the short field after the punt.

The Hilltoppers’ defense was led by linemen Ken Aguirre, Jeff Budz, Joe Frescura and Zach Lukasik and linebackers Brad Krisch, Mike Gruben and Peter Riccolo. Gruben, Lukasik and Bill Rotnicki each had an interception.

“This is a big step for our defense,’’ Krisch said. “We’ve worked hard all year and finally got the shutout.’’

JCA kicker Brian Bravo, whose booming opening kickoff hit the Benet crossbar, made two field goals —a 47-yarder in the second quarter and a 42-yarder in the third for a 13-0 lead.

Drew Voss culminated a 59-yard drive with a 5-yard TD run to make it 20-0 with 9:07 left in the game. On Joliet Catholic’s next play from scrimmage, backup quarterback Cameron Behymer connected down the middle with Harold Davis on a 57-yard pass to put the Hilltoppers ahead 27-0.

“What a great team effort, all the way around,’’ Sharp said.

Joliet Catholic ends its regular season with a home game against playoff hopeful Marist, while Benet will host Marian Catholic.