By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
NOBLESVILLE – Guerin Catholic and Brebeuf Jesuit couldn’t have given the fans more of a show on Friday night than they did at The Eagles’ Nest. This game was worth the price of admission and more.
The two high-powered offenses combined for 1,627 total yards, but it would be the visiting Braves that were able to take advantage and outlast the Golden Eagles, 69-62.
The first quarter was indicative of how the game flow would go for the game. After getting up 13-0, the Braves were up 35-14 after the first, which lasted over 40 minutes of real time.
“We’re proud of our kids, because they kept fighting and battling,” said Guerin Catholic head coach Tom Dilley.
Guerin got on the board when Malcolm Houze found Aidan Horn for an 11-yard TD to cut it to 13-7.
A few plays later, Brebeuf quarterback Maverick Geske connected with Jay Hmurovich for a 55 yard score. Tailback CJ Harris made it a three-score game 28-7.
Hayden Cler then got his first TD on the next drive to cut it to 28-14. Harris added a second TD of the first quarter for the 35-14 advantage.
“I think they had a little shock for a second and at some point shook it off and just adopted the ‘all you can do is play from here and you never know what’s going to happen’ with a lot of ballgame left and just keep pounding away,” continued Dilley. “We never shut them down, but we got it down to a one score game and that’s much, much credit to our guys’ fight.”
The second started with Houze throwing his second interception, both to Cam Walters. The next play, Aidan Ferry picked off Geske to get the ball right back.
As the game moved on, the energy stayed high throughout and had the feel like each team was in video game mode.
Elias Niccum caught Houze’s third TD and Malcolm ran one in from 14 yards out. Just when it seemed like Guerin Catholic was finding a way to narrow the gap, Brebeuf found ways to score again and led at halftime 48-28.
Just one touchdown each was added in the third. Cler found the end zone for the second time to make it 48-34.
The Braves’ fullback Parker Maiers ran in a touchdown for a 55-34 score.
The Golden Eagles were sustaining a drive and wound up turning the ball over on downs at Brebeuf’s 12. The Braves returned the favor, driving deep into Guerin territory. Defensive back JB Ford put a stop to that, intercepting Geske in the end zone.
If it weren’t for Harris running like the Energizer Bunny all night and adding another pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, Guerin would have fully completed the comeback.
The play of Houze at quarterback is what made Guerin tick for 48 minutes. Having a career night in the pocket, he seemed grateful for how it happened.
Last week against Heritage Christian, Jack Linden was able to run for 325 yards on 44 carries for his career highs so far. Tonight, it would be Malcolm Houze and Hayden Cler’s turn.
Brebeuf’s defensive game plan was to limit the run and that’s what happened, opening up the passing game for Houze to shine.
“We knew that the box was going to be packed. I have all of the faith in my receivers. I can throw it up to any one of them and I’ll feel safe,” Guerin Catholic quarterback Malcolm Houze said.
“It starts on the o-line as well. It’s won in the trenches. They give me the time to get the ball off and from there I throw half these throws in practice every week and I’m ready for it when we come out here on Friday nights,” continued Houze.
The o-line gave him enough time to uncork four touchdown strikes in the fourth to Hayden Cler of 12, 71, 36 and 12 yards. But the Golden Eagles’ comeback fell short by one score.
“He’s (Houze) executing at a high level. He’s doing what his reads take him to and he’s athletically good enough to do what his reads tell him to do. Sometimes when the reads get cloudy and things break down, he’s athletic enough to make something out of nothing, too,” Dilley continued on Houze.
Guerin Catholic continues play over the next two weeks in the Circle City Conference, hitting the road at Roncalli and Bishop Chatard.
“This is what sets us up perfectly. The Circle City Conference is full of great teams. We’ve got Roncalli, Brebeuf, Chatard, all three great teams. We don’t want to look forward. We take it one week at a time and we’re ready and excited for what’s next,” added Houze.
“It’s obviously competition against a high-quality opponent. They’re different teams no doubt with their own set of challenges and we’re not worried about two weeks from now, just focused on next week,” Dilley stated on the upcoming game Friday at Roncalli.
The old saying is that ‘records are made to be broken’ and that’s exactly what happened for three players last night.
For Brebeuf Jesuit, tailback CJ Harris broke the single-game rushing record with 29 carries for 392 yards and five touchdowns. The previous record was held by Levante Bellamy with 376.
Guerin had a pair of career nights that are more than likely tops in each category. Malcolm Houze threw 40 of 56 for 638 yards, good for 71.4 percent completed and eight touchdowns. Hayden Cler caught 26 of those for 396 yards and 6 touchdowns.
Brebeuf Jesuit (3-1, 1-0 CCC) visits Class 6A Carmel (2-2) on Friday.
Guerin Catholic (3-1, 0-1 CCC) goes to Roncalli (1-2) Friday in Circle City league play. The Royals lost last night at Columbus North, 14-0.
Aidan Horn also had a great night receiving, catching seven for 110 yards.
