PREP FOOTBALL 2016: Newman takes care of business against Gauchos

Cardinal Newman effectively combined a strong running attack with some pin-point short passing by quarterback Jordon Brookshire to decisively turn back host Casa Grande 42-7.|

Cardinal Newman effectively combined a strong running attack with some pin-point short passing by quarterback Jordon Brookshire to decisively turn back host Casa Grande, 42-7, in the North Bay League opener Friday night. The Cardinals never trailed after they jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

While not spectacular, the Cardinals took complete control of the game from the opening kickoff with some second-effort rushing by junior running back Tanner Mendoza and the on-target swing passes of Brookshire. The Division IV finalists from last season were limited to a combined 157 yards in the first half, but an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter took away any momentum from the Gauchos, who closed the gap to 14-7.

Trailing by two touchdowns, the Gauchos broke a big play from scrimmage when senior running back Sawyer Johnson sprinted 80 yards behind good blocking for a touchdown over the left side. The play was slow in materializing, but Johnson got to the corner and was suddenly all alone down the sideline in front of the Cardinal Newman bench.

All of the enthusiasm along the home sideline was quickly dampened when the Cardinals responded with the longest play of the night on the ensuing kick. “That kick return completely turned this game around,” said Gaucho coach Trent Herzog after the game. “We were within reach.”

Cardinal Newman scored twice in less than two minutes in the opening quarter on a short field drive of 36 yards and a pass interception return.

The Cardinals might have completely broken the game open in the first half had it not been for the versatile play of Spencer Torkelson of the Gauchos. In addition to his workmanlike rushes on offense, Torkelson was in on three tackles, intercepted a tipped pass over the middle and pounced on a fumble that bounced into the end zone when Newman was threatening again.

Inside linebacker Travis Voight led the Casa defenders in the early going with five individual tackles, in addition to forcing the Newman fumble into the end zone. Voight was backed by some solid play by Brandon Keefer and Brian Kolodin. Voight wound up pacing the Gauchos with nine tackles for the game.

Cardinal Newman (3-1) came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter as it scored touchdowns on drives of 61 and 58 yards to seal the deal. Short tosses to the outside were productive as the Cardinals tacked on additional yardage after the catch. As the game moved into the final stages, several Casa players appeared to be suffering from cramps which were a source of concern for Herzog when he talked to the team after the game.

“We have to stay hydrated,” he reminded them. “It’s getting a little late for all that cramping. We have to get in better shape by running to everything in practice. We must go back to work Monday, and get ready for Rancho Cotate. This is the tough part of our schedule.”

Johnson came back to lead the best Gaucho drive of the night as they moved the ball from their own 23-yard line into Newman territory late in the third quarter. A completed pass from Frank Gawronski to Trevor Naugle for 20 yards helped. Johnson wound up pacing the Casa rushers with 118 yards on the ground.

Herzog found reason to be pleased with the efforts of his defenders.

“There was a good effort out there,” he said. “We forced them to punt to us three times which is the most they have turned the ball back to the defense, including in their game at St. Mary’s of Stockton.”

Casa Grande fell to 1-3 overall after defeating San Marin last week for its first win of the season.

Cardinal Newman punished Casa Grande 53-6 in the lopsided junior varsity contest.

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