Fenwick played the quarterback shuffle on Saturday night in its 17-10 win over previously undefeated Highland Park.
Usual starter Jack Beneventi, who has committed to play at Iowa next fall, completed just 14 of 40 passes for 99 yards, no touchdowns and four picks in Fenwick’s final two games against Montini and St. Francis. He was benched for Saturday’s first-round playoff game.
“That’s something internal,” head coach Gene Nudo said. “I won’t comment on that. … Jack is a wonderful kid. We love him.”
“I’m not worried about that,” said Beneventi, who transferred during the summer from Benet. “Right now, I’m just worried about the playoffs and winning. As long as we’re winning, I couldn’t be happier.”
Senior Sean Moorman started under center for the Friars and alternated possessions with junior Gavin Graves.
“We thought this was the way to go,” Nudo said. “They both bring something a little different to the table.”
“I was a little nervous to have my first start during my senior year,” Moorman admitted.
Despite the apparent quarterback uncertainty, the Friars’ defense was the main headliner in the win. Fenwick picked off quarterback Sam Nevers six times on the night, including three on Highland Park’s final three possessions after senior defensive lineman Harry Bell blocked a potential tie-breaking field goal by Jacob Swartz from 30 yards with six minutes left.
With the game tied at 10 and 3:22 left, Connecticut-bound safety Aaron Garland intercepted a Nevers pass on the Fenwick 38-yard line and returned it down the right sideline 61 yards to the Highland Park 1-yard line.
“It happened so fast,” Garland said. “I saw [Nevers] release it. Coach always tells me to take the ball when I see it, so I took it and I was able to make a good return.”
Running back Pat Donahue, who finished with 119 yards and two touchdowns, plunged in from the 1 on the next play to put the Friars ahead 17-10 with three minutes left.
Ryan Pierson intercepted Nevers on the next Highland Park possession. A Fenwick three-and-out followed, and sophomore linebacker Brett Moorman, Sean Moorman’s brother, picked off Nevers on the first play of the ensuing Highland Park drive to seal the victory.
“I’m so proud of my little brother for bailing me out there at the end,” Sean Moorman said.
“We needed everything that we could get out of our defense tonight,” Nudo said. “It was kind of a strange game, but our defense really played well all night.”
Fenwick will take on 10th-seeded Carmel next week in their second-round matchup.
- Highland Park (9-1) finished the season as CSL North champion and registered the best season in team history. Head coach Hal Chiodo coached his final game on Saturday night. “I feel bad for Coach Chiodo,” Nudo said. “We do this because we love doing it. He’s had a great career.”
- “This coaching staff is unbelievable,” Chiodo said. “It was a great year. The kids really pulled together. Highland Park football is going in the right direction.”
