INDIANAPOLIS
Games that end 28-7 don’t often feature one sequence that determines the outcome, but Roncalli’s home game Friday against defending Class 3A state champion Chatard might have been an exception.
Class 4A No. 9 Roncalli, trailing 13-7 in the second quarter, drove the ball from its own 11-yard line to the Trojans’ 32 and held the ball for 5:14, but came up empty when Chatard forced a turnover on downs. Five plays later, the Trojans’ Ryan McGinnis hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass with just 25 seconds left in the half. The ensuing two-point conversion extended Chatard’s lead to 21-7.
Roncalli never recovered. It didn’t score again, and the Trojans made enough plays offensively to keep Roncalli at bay and earn a 28-7 Circle City Conference win.
“We had the right coverage; we just didn’t make the play,” Roncalli coach John Rodenberg said of the touchdown pass at the end of the half. “We made a couple of mistakes that were uncharacteristic, and that’s what happens in big games. That’s what confidence brings to you, and that’s what Chatard is playing with right now.”
The Trojans (3-0, 2-0) won their 14th straight game dating back to last season, while Roncalli fell to 1-1 and 0-1. Rodenberg knew the game would be a good early-season measuring stick.
“They’re willing to take chances, and they’re quick,” Rodenberg said of Chatard. “They’ve been in that state championship, and nothing replaces confidence in a winning program. That’s what we’re going to get to.”
It looked like Roncalli would hang with Chatard early. The Trojans took advantage of a Kyle Haslett interception that gave Chatard the ball at Roncalli’s 4-yard line and scored three plays later. But Roncalli responded with an impressive eight-play, 59-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 1-yard Aidan Leffler quarterback sneak. Leffler had connected with Cole Beckman on a 19-yard slant pass on the previous play to set up the score.
Chatard took the lead for good with 7:01 in the second quarter, when Trojans quarterback Carter St. John found Thomas Coleman wide open downfield for a 59-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point try was blocked, keeping Chatard’s lead at 13-7 and setting up the crucial end-of-the-half sequence.
Field position also played a critical role in both teams’ fortunes. Roncalli’s average drive starts at its own 20-yard line, while Chatard’s average drive began at its own 48.
Roncalli held the ball for 27 plays on its three second-half possessions, but managed no points, thanks in large part to that field-position disadvantage.
Baron Huebler played a large role in sustaining those drives. The senior running back compiled 110 yards on 27 carries, but the rest of Roncalli’s offense managed just 90 yards.
“He’s definitely the foundation of the offense,” Rodenberg said. “We’ve got to learn how to build off him. We can’t just jump on his back and let him win the game for us. We’ve got to let him be who he is, but we’ve got to play off him.”
Roncalli plays next Friday at Columbus North.
