Racine Lutheran 63, Catholic Central 39
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Through three quarters during Friday night’s Homecoming game, the Catholic Central football squad kept things close with visiting Racine Lutheran.
But a battering ram can only be contained for so long.
Running back Shamaj Williams’ two fourth-quarter touchdowns helped Lutheran finish off the Toppers, 63-39, in an entertaining affair at the Topper Bowl.
Williams totaled 275 rushing yards on 21 carries and five touchdowns on the ground in a game where the Toppers simply didn’t match up well, according to Toppers head coach Tom Aldrich.
“They were a lot bigger than us up front and they had a big power back in Williams,” he said. “We were hoping to get to him before he could get to full speed. Once he got a head of steam going, he was difficult to stop.”
It was Catholic Central’s best offensive output of the season, though the defeat dropped the team to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in the Metro Classic Conference.
Lutheran improved to 4-3 and 3-2.
Like they’ve done several times this season, Catholic Central opened up the scoring.
Quarterback Chad Zirbel’s 4-yard run with 5:14 left in the first quarter made it 7-0, but Williams answered with a one-yard run to knot things after one quarter.
The second quarter belonged to Lutheran, which put up 28 points behind touchdowns from four different players.
Catholic Central senior Aaron Rueber exploded for a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown to tie things at 14-14.
Pankau breaks out
Just before halftime, Zirbel found Cole Pankau for a 76-yard touchdown pass to make it 35-21 at intermission.
Pankau, who had a big year receiving as a junior, has struggled to find his rhythm this season. On Friday, he broke out for 146 receiving yards on five catches.
“Despite not having the type of season I’m sure he was hoping for, Cole has not let it affect the way he practices or plays,” Aldrich said of Pankau. “It is always nice to see your players rewarded for their efforts.”
Aldrich said the outburst wasn’t a different game plan, but simply an attempt to “press them out a little more to help create favorable matchups.”
The added space helped Zirbel gain 152 yards on 34 carries and throw for 232 yards.
Rueber combined for 141 total yards (74 rush, 67 receiving).
Despite the offensive surge, the defense couldn’t figure out a solution for Williams in the second half.
The 5-foot-11, 215-pound wrecking ball opened the second half with a 12-yard scoring run, but the Toppers responded.
Zirbel found pay dirt from a yard out with 5:16 left, then Rueber caught a 21-yard touchdown from Zirbel just before the end of the third to leave it at 42-33 heading into the final 12 minutes.
Williams reeled off scoring runs of 45 and 33 yards, and Tyler Tenner added a 21-yard tally, and Catholic Central fell into a 63-33 hole with 4:23 to play.
Zirbel added an 11-yard touchdown run with 1:50 remaining.
Williams has gained 954 yards on the season with 14 touchdowns.
Catholic Central amassed 470 total yards, compared to 558 for Lutheran.
Both teams combined for 17 penalties, and the only turnover was a Catholic Central lost fumble.
Now most likely eliminated from playoff contention, as the Toppers cannot post a winning conference record, Aldrich said the team will stay positive for the final two games.
Catholic Central hosts Thomas More in the final home game Friday before traveling to Horlick Field in Racine to battle conference-leading Racine St. Cat’s Thursday, Oct. 13.
“I still believe we continue to improve each week,” Aldrich said. “I expect that trend to continue and am looking forward to our best game of the year Friday.”
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