The Bishop Ireton Cardinal Football Team kicked off its new season with a solid victory.
The Cardinal and Gold, playing at home under a scorching August sun and on an extremely hot artificial turf, defeated Benedictine 16-13.
It must have been 115 degrees out there on that field. Ive got guys on this coaching staff that played Division One college football and they dont ever remember a day like this [weather wise] during their playing days, said first year coach Tony Verducci.
The game was originally scheduled for a 2 p.m. start, however, due to the extreme heat the game was moved up three hours.
With 8:41 remaining in the second quarter, a 34-yard Benedictine Cadet scoring
strike narrowed the Cadets deficit to 9-7.
Leading by two points, Ireton sophomore all-purpose threat Doug Vines returned the ensuing kickoff 22 yards and the Cardinals generated
three first downs to get the ball down to the Benedictine three-yard line thereafter.
Doug Vines is one of the three fastest players on this team, said Verducci.
Key first down plays on the drive included a shifty 20-yard scamper by Vines, a 30-yard strike from senior quarterback Ed Pastorino to senior running back/slot receiver Andrew Rodriguez and a two-yard bootleg by Pastorino.
Three plays after Pastorinos legs moved the chains, junior running back John Attiliis scored off the right side from two yards out and Ireton took the decisive 16-7 lead.
The Cardinals first rushing offensive touchdown of the season came on a power play to the tight end side, said Verducci. John [Attiliis] did a good job lowering his shoulders and getting into the end zone.
Neither team scored until midway through the third quarter when the Cadets sophomore linebacker Drake Evans took a 44-yard interception return to the end zone.