By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – The Guerin Catholic football team dropped its first game of the season Friday, falling to Roncalli 35-21 in a Circle City Conference contest at a packed Eagles’ Nest.
After picking up a league win last week at Brebeuf Jesuit, the Class 3A No. 2 Golden Eagles were trying for another victory – and possibly earn a date with Bishop Chatard for a conference championship next week. But the size and running game of the 4A No. 8 Royals proved to be a little too much for Guerin Catholic.
“They’re a good football team, a great football program,” said GC coach Tom Dilley. “They’re very well coached. The kids play hard. We just didn’t execute on either side the way we can. Some of that had to do with them, but a lot of it had to do with us, and I think there’s some things we can improve on, so we’ll do our best to do that.”
Roncalli scored first, making its way into the end zone on a drive that ate up the first six minutes of the game. Zach Dozier scored on a 13-yard run. The Royals then went up 14-0 when Ben Brandenburg went on a 42-yard run for a touchdown.
Guerin Catholic broke through on the last play of the half. Ryan Zimmerman tossed a perfect pass from the 35-yard line to Alex Gibbs, who was waiting just shy of the end zone. Gibbs easily grabbed the ball and made the short trip in for a touchdown. Peyton Butts kicked the extra point, and the Golden Eagles were within 14-7 at the break.
The Royals got the first score of the second half, with Brandenburg punching it in from the one-yard line. But Guerin Catholic answered back. With the Golden Eagles at their own 22, Zimmerman threw a short pass to Hayden Cler, who was all alone on the home side of the field. Cler then took off, and didn’t stop until he was in the end zone. It was a 78-yard touchdown reception, and Butts’ kick brought GC to within 21-14.
Neither team scored again until the fourth quarter. The Royals’ Collin Ash ran the ball in from the 10 for a touchdown. Again, Guerin Catholic answered. Gibbs hauled in a 14-yard throw from Zimmerman, and another kick from Butts made it 28-21.
But the Golden Eagles would get no closer. Roncalli finished up the scoring with Dozier making a 30-yard touchdown run. Guerin Catholic gave it one last drive, but the Royals made an interception to end it.
“Everybody has to deal with setbacks, so this will be a test of our resilience, our character,” said Dilley. “We stand for what we say we believe in, and I know these guys do.
It was a game of contrasting styles. Roncalli made 59 rushes for 367 yards, with all five of its touchdowns coming from runs. The Golden Eagles had 41 pass attempts, and scored all three touchdowns from the air. Zimmerman finished 18-of-41 for 262 yards, with Gibbs making nine receptions and Jack Cherry catching six. Cler picked up the other three.
Guerin Catholic is now 1-1 in conference play and 4-1 overall, and hosts Bishop Chatard next Friday.
RONCALLI 35, GUERIN CATHOLIC 21
Score by Quarters
Roncalli 7 7 7 14 – 35
Guerin Catholic 0 7 7 7 – 21
Team stats RON GC
First Downs 21 14
By Rush 17 6
By Pass 4 7
By Penalty 0 1
Rushes-Yards 59-367 24-42
Passing Yards 52 262
Comp-Att-Int-TD 6-12-1-0 18-41-1-3
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-Yards 9-95 2-22
Punts-Average 5-30.0 6-27.7
Guerin Catholic scoring
Second Quarter
0:00 – Alex Gibbs 33-yard reception from Ryan Zimmerman (Peyton Butts kick)
Third Quarter
7:42 – Hayden Cler 78-yard reception from Zimmerman (Butts kick)
Fourth Quarter
8:45 – Gibbs 14-yard reception from Zimmerman (Butts kick)
Guerin Catholic individual stats
Rushing: Zimmerman 7-30, Gibbs 5-28, Jack Linden 5-14, Cooper Navarro 2-4, Jack Cherry 2-minus 2, team 3-minus 32.
Passing: Zimmerman 18-41-262.
Receiving: Gibbs 9-110, Cherry 6-53, Cler 3-99.