After a difficult three weeks, the Fenwick High School football team turned in a fairly balanced effort on both sides of the ball to beat Leo 18-7 on Saturday, Sept. 15.
“We are happy with the win as our young men continue to strive for improvement,” Fenwick coach Gene Nudo said. “Offensively, we need to become more consistent in catching, throwing and blocking. Defensively, we continue to improve weekly. In the kicking game, we continue to win the battle each week.”
The Friars, who earned their first win in four games, controlled the line of scrimmage with a solid running game and dominant defensive effort.
Running back Mitch Lopez rushed for 110 yards on 29 carries and also caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Danny Cronin.
The Friars scored their other touchdown on a 20-yard double-pass, caught by Marcus Wright. Brian Moore finished with two catches for 33 yards and Fenwick caught four passes for 111 yards overall.
Aided by some bad snaps on the part of Leo, Fenwick also recorded a pair of safeties to account for its other scoring.
Cronin, who completed just 1 of 7 passes for 58 yards plus an interception, left the game late in the first half with a knee injury. According to Nudo, the junior signal caller will be monitored during the week and a game-time decision for the Friday’s game at De La Salle.
Reserve quarterback Rian O’Connor went 2-for-10 passing for 33 yards.
On defense, Max Forst led the Friars with 5.5 tackles and an interception. Danny Farnan (5.5 tackles), Solomon Single ton (2 pass deflections), Tom Dvorak (2.5 tackles, fumble recovery) and Bryce Legan (2 tackles, sack) also contributed for Fenwick, which limited Leo’s running game to under 50 yards.
Fenwick (1-3) visits De La Salle in a conference division game on Friday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
“Our preseason goals still lie ahead, to win our conference,” Nudo said. “We know it we have a big test this week. De La Salle is very impressive on film. Our men continue to fight as any Friar would.”
