INDIANAPOLIS
Facing a Crispus Attucks squad that dressed only 15 players, Roncalli knew the struggle would be psychological as much as physical in Friday’s Class 4A first-round sectional matchup.
After some tough fits and starts, visiting Roncalli righted itself and needed just one solid quarter to dispose of the host Tigers.
Fourth-ranked Roncalli couldn’t put Attucks away until the second quarter, when it scored four touchdowns, including two in the half’s last 2 minutes, 7 seconds. Meanwhile, the visitors’ defense held tough all game, allowing just 86 total yards in a 52-6 victory.
The win propels Roncalli (8-1) into a sectional semifinal matchup with neighboring rival Beech Grove, which defeated Shortridge 61-0 in its first-round game. The Hornets are scheduled to host next Friday.
“I’m glad our next opponent was in the same situation, from what I hear,” Roncalli coach John Rodenberg said, referring to Beech Grove’s blowout win in similar fashion. “They’re kids. You’re not going to lie to them. They knew exactly what they were getting into, but we had a good week of practice, we got our act together (after the slow start) and played good football.”
Roncalli missed its first four extra points, although three were kicked directly into a sharp north wind, allowed 30 yards’ worth of penalties that extended Attucks’ lone touchdown drive, and gave up a 31-yard pass on a fourth-down play that also extended that drive.
The Tigers (4-4) tied the score 6-6 with 4:19 remaining in the first quarter (their two-point try failed), but Roncalli scored touchdowns on all six of its first-half possessions. The visitors eliminated any doubt about the outcome when Ryan Papandria returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a touchdown with 2:07 left in the half.
After a 16-yard punt gave Roncalli the ball back at the Attucks 40 with 12.8 seconds left, it found the end zone again. Quarterback Aidan Leffler found Caden Gore for a 17-yard pass, but he took a tough hit after the pass and had to come out for one play.
Gore assumed quarterback duties on the next play and found Cole Beckman wide open in the end zone with 2.1 seconds left in the half. That gave Roncalli a 45-6 lead and triggered a running clock for the second half.
Leffler completed 9 of 11 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half. Roncalli played substitutes throughout the second half.
“The way Aidan is throwing the ball continues to make me happy,” Rodenberg said. “To get to the state championship game, we’re going to have to play some games like this. Aidan did a nice job controlling the football.”
Meanwhile, Roncalli defenders intercepted Attucks quarterback Kemaany Hall three times. Ryan Henry, Andrew Baugh and Joe Curd each hauled in interceptions. Roncalli sacked Hall seven times. Hall threw for 99 yards, but completed just 9 of 21 passes.
The Roncalli defense held the Tigers to minus-13 yards rushing and just one first-half first down that wasn’t penalty-aided.
“I think we played pretty good pass coverage,” Rodenberg said. “I was glad (Attucks) ran the ball outside because that’s an area that’s been giving us some problems. We were in our spots, we were in our lanes and had our angles right.”
